Dorothy Van Zandt has Milestone Birthday!

Dorothy Foster Van Zandt, born September 11, 1913 in Rochester, New York, was the youngest of 8 children. In 1931, at the height of the Great Depression, she graduated from East High School in Rochester. Dot attended a local commercial school for advanced business subjects and worked for a Rochester Law Office for $5 per week. She later moved to Cleveland, Ohio and worked at an airplane company for 5 years as a stenographer.

In 1940 Dorothy Foster married Donald Van Zandt at the Baptist Temple in Rochester, New York. Donald had a successful career at Lawyer's Cooperative Publishing Company. At which time, Dot was a secretary at the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. She managed their office and their yearly financial campaigns. The last year she worked there they raised one million dollars! Dot and Donald were married for 58 years, and Dot cared for her beloved husband until he lost his battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Dottie has lived through the administration of 18 presidents! During her life time the first commercial passenger air travel was established (1914), the Panama Canal was completed (1914), there were 2 World Wars, as well as Korea & Vietnam conflicts and the more current military conflicts in Iraq, Iran & Afghanistan. She survived the Great Depression 1929-1939, embraced the Roaring 20’s, witnessed the Cold War 1947 - 1985 and the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. She watched her television, as the first man walked on the moon in 1969.

When Dot was 85 years old she moved to Teakwood Village West in Largo. To this day she's is still very active and continues to play Bingo and hosts many luncheons in her carport. This summer she was in charge of a summer Bingo game for her neighbors and friends. You'll find Dotty leading her friends in song, requesting that they sing along, she's got a few jokes up her sleeve,too! She thoroughly enjoys attending events at Teakwood East & West sides during the year. And residents enjoy having her in their midst..she's full of positive energy, fun and lives life to the fullest!

Currently, Dotty is writing a short novel (how many 105 years old can say that?). She uses a computer and is quite proficient at it, and credits her longevity to Vitamin C. She's proud & quite close to her nephew, who lives in Ft Lauderdale, FL and is on the Board of Cornell University. Dorothy is an inspiration and a delight to all of us who are acquainted with her.