Obituary of Dorothea R. Eichhorn

Dorothea "Dot" (Wiesenthal) Eichhorn, 92, formerly of Lockport, died peacefully on December 15, 2023 at her new home in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Dot was born September 25, 1931 in Madgeburg, Germany, the daughter of Dr. Curt and Martha Wiesenthal. The family emigrated from Germany to the British Mandate of Palestine during the 1930's and lived in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, with relatives. In January 1939, the family came to New York, settling in Lockport, NY on Niagara Street where Dr. Wiesenthal established his medical practice.

After graduating from Lockport High School, Dot earned a degree in Chemistry from the University of Michigan. She married John "Jack" Eichhorn on August 21, 1954 in Lockport. They settled in Shrewsbury, MA while working at the Worcester Foundation, and it was there that daughters Joyce and Karen were born. They lived for many years in Pittsburgh, PA, and Leesburg, PA, where they were closer to both Dot and Jack's families.

Throughout her working life, Dot applied her scientific experience in the lab as well as the classroom, for many years performing quality control at Castle Brand and Waldman Meats. At the same time, she was a loving wife, mother, and daughter.

Caregiving and volunteering was part of Dot's DNA.  She, along with Jack and his siblings, took turns spending a week at time caring for his parents during their long illnesses. Later, after Jack died, Dot moved back to her childhood home in Lockport to take care of her mother. She became the volunteer coordinator for the Lockport Memorial Hospital Guild gift shop, spending hours organizing helpers and working in the gift shop herself, as well as being an active member of the Hospital Guild.

Dot always loved animals, especially cats. There was usually a cat or dog at home. In Lockport, there was a whole series of rescued foster kitties. They were loved and cared for and eventually adopted by other families. Her kitty, Misi, joined Dot for her move to Michigan and passed away recently. They all brought joy to Dot's life.

Dot was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents, and sister Irene.  She is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Joyce and Robert Breitman, and Karen Eichhorn and Jay Levine. She was the loving grandmother of Elizabeth (Paul) Lidzy and Josh Breitman, and of great-granddaughter Madilyn Lidzy, who all brought her immeasurable joy. She is also survived by a loving niece and nephews: Ken and Alan Reese, David Batten, and Cynthia Mason.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Save a Pet of Niagara County, PO Box 114, Newfane, NY 14108, saveapetniagara.com, or to a charity of one’s choice. 

Family and friends are invited to the Prudden & Kandt Funeral Home, 242 Genesee Street in Lockport at 11 am on Saturday, May 11, 2024 for a memorial service to reminisce and honor Dot's life.