Dorothy Darnell, nee Scanlon, died March 7, 2022, in Sharon, CT. She will be remembered as a longtime professional horsewoman and supporter of equine organizations, but most especially as the head of a fun-loving household filled with five children, horses, dogs and assorted strays and rescues. She was born the daughter of Walter and Helen Lynch Scanlon of Bethpage, NY, on April 26, 1934. She is survived by her sister, Joan Bennett, and predeceased by her sister, Elaine Witteman and brother, Walter “Buddy” Scanlon, Jr.
Her father Walter was a well-known professional horseman and polo player who managed the Bethpage Riding & Polo Club on Long Island. In her youth, she taught hundreds of Girl Scouts to ride and drill for the Girl Scout Drill Team which performed in NYC and LI. She married and moved to Millbrook, NY where she helped run the Bennett College Riding Program, judged numerous horse shows and became involved with the Dutchess Co. PHA which gave her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. In later years, she managed riding programs for New Canaan Mounted Troop and New York Military Academy. When she retired from training and teaching, she was a busy horse show steward officiating at some 20-30 shows a year throughout the Hudson Valley and Westchester-Fairfield area.
She is survived by her children, Kathleen Fallon, James Fallon, Elizabeth Fallon McLaughlin, Susan Fallon and Julia Darnell Herman. She leaves five grandchildren: Sarah, Liza, Georgia, Lily and Zachary, and one great grandchild Sadie, as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, close family and friends.
Visiting hours will take place at 3270 Franklin Ave, Millbrook, NY March 10, 2022 from 5:00-7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Joseph’s Church, 15 North Ave, Millbrook, NY on March 11, 2022 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dutchess County PHA or St Jude Children’s Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now.
