Obituary: Dorothy Agnes Mary Lang Kammer, 95, Of Redding

Information and Photo Courtesy Bouton Funeral Home

REDDING, CT — Dorothy Agnes Mary Lang Kammer, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was called to heaven by God and received into the loving arms of her beloved Mama and Papa on Dec. 11, 2023. Born Sept. 18, 1928, in the Bronx, NY, the eldest daughter of Mary Klemens Lang and Edward Lang. She was predeceased by her parents; husband, Raymond Kammer; siblings, Alyce Lang Duffy, Edward Lang, and Joe Waide; and many beloved tantes, onkels, cousins, family, and friends.

The daughter of immigrants from Austria and Germany, her mastery and love of the English language began in grade school as she taught her parents and siblings to read, write, and speak English. As a young girl, Dorothy spent many happy summers at her Tante Agnes and Onkel Henry’s farm in Old Saybrook, with her siblings and cousin Willie. It was here that a girl from the Bronx fell in love with the quiet country life, often remarking later in life that she would much rather fall asleep to the songs of peepers than car horns. And, although, she would one day make her home in the country she enjoyed all the city had to offer – playing in the city streets, roller skating around the neighborhood, even in the subway, and dancing with friends in dance halls. A woman of many talents, Dorothy excelled at secretarial school, receiving honors and typing an unbelievable 120 words per minute.

It was in the dance halls of her youth that Dorothy fell in love Ray – a gentile man from Queens who traveled so often across the bridge to court his future bride, she often joked he had "bought the bridge by the time they married." Married on Aug. 25, 1951, the young couple worked hard and moved to Redding to raise their children – Christine, Karen, Stephen, and Doreen. It was here Dorothy traded in her roller skates to embrace quiet country life – building stone walls using the skills her stonemason Papa passed down to her, swimming in her pool, and falling asleep to peepers. She also enjoyed reading, crosswords, puzzles, scrabble, cards, and dancing with Ray.

A devout Catholic, Dorothy attended Mass regularly, belonged to the Rosary Society, volunteered at special feasts, and participated in the Prayer Chain until she was no longer able. As a young mother, she belonged to the Mothers' Club raising funds to send the parish children to Saint Mary's Elementary School in Ridgefield.

Dorothy spent her latter years doting on her eight grandchildren – Eric, Leah, Rory, Jared, Christopher, Matthew, Stephanie, and Kyle; and four great-grandchildren – Brooke, Julian, James, and Isla. She loved singing them German lullabies, bouncing them on her leg, picking raspberries, and singing with them in the rain.

Dorothy also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, Godchildren, and countless family friends.
The matriarch of her family, Dorothy will be “always loved, never forgotten, forever missed.”

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday Dec. 14, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Bouton Funeral Home, 31 West Church Street, Georgetown.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 in Sacred Heart Church, 30 Church Street, Georgetown. Burial in St. Mary's Cemetery Ridgefield will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 30 Church St. Georgetown.