Dorothy Marshall Moore
EASTON — Dorothy Marshall Moore, of Easton, died of respiratory complications on Friday, August 10, 2018 at Bayleigh Chase retirement community. She was 83.
Born on January 14, 1935 in Locust Valley, NY, she was the daughter of the late John William Marshall and Anne Mettrock Marshall.
After graduation from the Locust Valley High School, Dorothy moved to New York City and studied nursing at the New York Foundling School.
She loved living in New York City Bohemia and entertained family and friends alike in her later years with stories of her time as a young, single woman.
Her friends there were creative: including writers, actors, and actresses in addition to Sesame Street and Muppets' creator Jon Stone who was married to her roommate and longtime friend. As her health declined in recent years, she delighted in telling her Indian-born doctors that she was friends with the family of legendary Indian actor Dilip Kumar. It was instant currency for connection and always garnered excellent medical care in return.
One of her most memorable stories was when she used to babysit Zero Mostel's children. Apparently his son Toby had a lizard who once bit the famed actor known for playing Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof," on the hand. When asked what he did in response, he told Dorothy "I bit it back of course, and it never bit me again."
It is in New York where she met and married her husband, the late Donald Campbell Moore, II on December 17, 1964. They divorced in 1977, soon after the family moved to Oxford, Maryland where Dorothy's life as a single parent mother and active community member began.
Described by many as a force of nature, Dorothy was well known for speaking up, saying what was on her mind and always supporting the underdog. Even in the last year and a half of her life at Bayleigh Chase, she was the champion for fellow residents who couldn't advocate for themselves, much to the chagrin of the staff.
Of the many jobs she held, she was most proud of working for the Honorable John C. North, II in both Talbot County's District and Circuit Courts for many years. After Judge North retired from the court, Dorothy became the personal assistant for Ambassador Gerard C. Smith, the chief U.S. delegate for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) who had retired to Easton.
She also served as the store manager of Tharpe House Antiques managed by the Talbot County Historical Society.
Thanks to Dorothy's big heart and generosity, the Moore family home, regardless of physical location, was open to all regardless of riches, age, popularity, sexual orientation or race. Often compared to Grand Central Station, Dorothy's open door policy welcomed and fed everyone, with her occasionally sacrificing her own dinner to share with spontaneous arrivals. She created a safe space where many of her children's peers confided in her, sought advice or listened to her lectures on various topics like teenaged sex, drugs, drunk driving or substance abuse.
She dedicated much of her free time to volunteering in the community. It would be difficult to list all of her activities but she is most remembered for supporting mostly anything her children were involved in. Sports leagues. School fundraisers. The Festival of Trees. Habitat for Humanity. From campaigning for The Honorable William S. Horne's bid for the Maryland House of Delegates to decorating the annual auction dances at The Country School, she was a do-er and by example instilled in her children a strong sense of giving back and of being of service to others.
She enjoyed serving as board secretary at the Tred Avon Yacht Club and one of her proudest achievements was helping to save the Oxford Community Center from demolition in the late 1970s.
Dorothy had many passions including family time, getting a tan, gossiping, reading, gardening, taking long baths, napping, sailing, holding court in her living room, treasure hunting and being in the company of bright, accomplished people. She loved fresh flowers, good friends, midnight snacks and vibrant colors. She did not like exercise, diets, rules, social injustice, doctors and discrimination of any kind.
Dorothy especially loved food, sharing meals with family and friends and was always keen to try a new recipe. She often instructed her son, a professional chef, on the finer points of cooking and was occasionally overheard questioning his portions and ingredients.
Her four children, their spouses and eight grandchildren were the light of her life. She was beyond proud of each and every one of them and would tell anyone who would listen to her about their latest accomplishments and successes.
Every day, her children received about three phone calls each from her. "It's your Mama. Just calling to babble." Not returning a call resulted in a tongue lashing and more phone calls.
She is survived by her children: Samantha Moore McCall (Tom) of Easton; Annie Moore Young (Nate) of Seattle, WA; Suzy S. Moore of Easton; and Donald Campbell Moore III (Michelle) of Los Angeles, CA. In addition, she is survived by her beloved 8 grandchildren and two granddogs: Sophie, Charlie and Hattie Young of Seattle, WA; Max and Molly McCall of Easton; Miles, Jackson and Remy Moore of Los Angeles, CA and Alice and Scout Moore of Easton.
She is also survived by her brother, Joseph Alfred Marshall of Locust Valley, NY and her sister, Joy Marshall Mathieson of Stuart, Fla.
A celebration of Dorothy's life is to be held on Saturday, August 25 at the Oxford Community Center in Oxford, Maryland at noon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Avalon Foundation, 40 E. Dover St., Easton, MD 21601 or by visiting https://avalonfoundation.org and click on Donate.