Dorothy Jean Paulin died July 10, 2017, at her daughter’s home in Springfield, Massachusetts, surrounded by her family, after a long illness.
She was born in 1939 in Nelson, Virginia, the daughter of James H. Carrington Sr. and Lula Viola Carrington. She came to Beacon as a child and resided in the city until her death.
As an elementary student at South Avenue School, she was chosen as valedictorian of her class. After earning an associate’s degree in business management from Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, she joined IBM in Hopewell Junction in 1968. She became a personnel recruiter there in 1983 and a project manager in 1985.
Soon after she retired from IBM in 1993, she was appointed executive director for the Martin Luther King Cultural Center in Beacon, and served in that role until 2011.
Dorothy was passionate about the importance of education and gave tirelessly to provide a safe and supportive environment by administering after-school programs. She also developed summer work force training for teens in 1995 called Prepare-A-Teen (PAT). Other services provided by MLK were resources for the elderly and disabled citizens by Dial-a-Van transportation for shopping and medical appointments as well as door-to-door service by meal delivery.
In 2000 Dorothy was honored by NAACP Southern Dutchess for her service to the youth. At the time she said: “I am not looking for any recognition. I am just looking for a smile on a child’s face and to know that they succeed. If I could afford to do this without being paid, I would.”
She was an avid bowler and Mets, Jets and Knicks fan.
Dorothy married William N. Paulin, and the couple had four children before they divorced. She is survived by her son, Rodney N. Paulin (Trish) and her daughter, Patricia P. Smith (Michael). Her sons Larry and William died before her. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as a sister, Martha Walker (Frank), a brother, James “Pete” Carrington (Minnie), and a brother-in law, James Smith.
Dorothy will lie in repose from 9 to 11 a.m. on Friday, July 21, at Springfield Baptist Church, 8 Mattie Cooper Square, in Beacon, followed by a service at 11 a.m. at the church officiated by the Rev. Ronald O. Perry Sr. Interment will be at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
