Dorothy Fagge Osborne went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in her sleep on Tuesday morning, December 22, 2015 at Danbury Hospital at the age of 90.
The life she lead was a full of grace, class, dignity, compassion and ultimate selflessness, with a heart of gold and a resolute inner strength that protected and provided for her family.
Dorothy was born in Reidsville, NC on October 11, 1925 to Florence Ominta (Rich) and Samuel Frank Fagge. She was pre-deceased by two brothers, S. Frank Jr. and James Robert, and one sister, Mary Frances Fagge Mullinax, of Greensboro NC.
The wife of Donald Allan Osborne, 93, who survives at home, “Dottie”, will forever be the love of his life. Don’s bride of over 70 years came north to Pawling from Reidsville, NC, after the young soldier fell for her at a local dance. They married at the Central Baptist Church of Pawling on May 20, 1945. After marrying they lived in Ithaca, NY as he finished school. Dot‘s work experience included Edna Mills, Reidsville, NC, GAF Inc., Ithaca, NY, and Guideposts, Quaker Hill, Pawling, NY. Her chosen career was beloved wife, homemaker and mom. The passion and diligence behind her work as a Pawling PTA member and president caught the attention of Principal John R. Wagner leading to a position as secretary to the Pawling Jr/Sr High School principal that lasted over 30 years. During her tenure there she was a member and president of the local chapter of the CSEA. She also served her country and town as a World War 2 “airplane spotter” under the direction of the Aircraft Warning Services, a civilian service of the US Army. Dot ushered in generations of students through their preparation for life, and stood by teachers and principals as they championed Pawling’s youth to grow wings and fly.
Dorothy was the matriarch, lifeline and pillar of her family. Mother to two children, Lynne Osborne Wilcox and Robert and wife Debby (Hicks) Osborne, all of Pawling. She adored her seven grandchildren, John Wilcox and wife Amy of Knoxville, TN, Beth (Wilcox) Rollins and husband Jeff of Brewster, NY, Emily Grey (Wilcox) Voudren and husband Dan of Pawling, Staff Sergeant Matthew Allan Wilcox and wife Sergeant Jen (Scalfari) of Oneida, NY, Chelsea (Osborne) Pearson and husband Robert, Robert Solomon Osborne and Courtney Osborne, all of Pawling. She was adored by Robin (Mullinax) Allison, June (Burwell) Rundall and Mary Lib Burton, family of her home state North Carolina. She was captivated by the energy, youth and joy of her 14 great-grandchildren, blessed to experience that “love is nanny” too.
God, Donald, family, church, Southern cooking and a stubbornness so unshakeable that our family has stood firm for the last half a century.
Her identity was found in Jesus Christ and she devoted her life as an ambassador of His grace, salvation and commission. Dorothy was a long-time and current member of the Central Baptist Church of Pawling, serving with unwavering dedication in her church for over 65 years. Her labor and love took many forms – deaconess, trustee, SS teacher, Women’s Bible teacher, VBS leader and Ladies Aid member, along with many committees and projects.
But it is music that set her soul ablaze. Dot found her calling, as the organist and choir director at Central Baptist Church and Second Kent Baptist Church for over 60 years. She accompanied visiting soloists and expressed what words simply could not through her music at local weddings and funerals. She was always available to lend her soprano voice to the town, the choir, the congregation, as long you really “read the words”, there was a message to be sent in every song. Each note was presented as a gift of sincere, humble worship that served as the melody of her life, and every song will live on as a memory to us all.
Calling hours will be held at Horn and Thomes Funeral Home, 83 East Main St., Pawling, NY on Sunday, December 27 from 2 – 4 pm and from 7 – 9 pm. Her funeral will be at 11:00 am on Monday, December 28 at the Central Baptist Church of Pawling led by Pastor Mark Bouffard, 38 East Main St in the village of Pawling.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Central Baptist Church of Pawling. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Horn and Thomes Funeral Home, Inc. For more information or to sign the guest book go to www.hornandthomesfuneralhome.com.
