Dorothy "Dottie" Achtmeyer, age 82, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on March 20, 2015 at her home in Wellington, Florida after a courageous battle with cancer.

Dottie was born in 1932 in Bridgeport, Conn. to Paul and Dorothy Keane. She was raised in Fairfield, Conn. and graduated from Roger Ludlow High School in 1950. She went on to attend the College Of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, NJ and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Dietetics in 1954. Soon after graduation she began working at St. Vincent's Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn. as their Chief Therapeutic Dietician.

Dottie married Herb Achtmeyer in 1958 in Fairfield, Conn. They were happily married for 57 years. Dottie was a kind and thoughtful person who was devoted to her family, friends and to her faith in God. She never wavered from this even as she struggled through her progressing illness. She died, as she lived, with courage, grace and dignity. Dottie was an inspiration to all who knew her. Dottie always saw the good in everyone and encouraged others to do so as well. She never missed an opportunity to send a card with a "special thought" or endearing note to everyone from her children to the people who serviced the lawn. To meet Dottie was to become a friend. Friends describe visiting with her as getting their "Dottie fix" because no matter how they came in, they left feeling special. Dottie loved hearing about people's lives, and especially about their children. All the children in the neighborhood flocked to her house for extra loving and a special treat, usually a Dixie cup full of marshmallows. Dottie's four grandchildren were her pride and joy.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Dorothy, and her son Paul Achtmeyer.

Dottie is survived by her husband Herb Achtmeyer of Wellington, Fl., her daughters Carol (Carolyn) Achtmeyer of Seattle, Wash. and Susan Montgomery of Austin, Texas, her sister, Elizabeth Rossbaum of Glastonbury, Conn., and her grandchildren, Stephane, Christian and Joel Montgomery and Jamie Achtmeyer; as well several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Family will greet friends from 1PM to 2PM followed by a memorial service at 2PM on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at the Palm Beach National Chapel, 10055 Heritage Farms Rd., Lake Worth, FL 33449.

Dottie's family thanks the nurses and doctors at Florida Cancer Specialists and TrustBridge Hospice for the excellent care they provided during her last days. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations made in memory of Dottie to: Brentwood Christian School (Austin, Texas) or the American Cancer Society.