Dorothy Ornstil

 Dorothy "Dorrie" Braver Ornstil, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2025, in her beloved Berkshires at the age of 94.

Dorrie was born in Manhattan on February 14, 1931, the youngest child of Phillip Braver and Beatrice Malamuth Braver. She was predeceased by her sister Eleanor, and her brothers Gerald and Howard. She was raised in Brooklyn and later resided in North Woodmere, Long Island, Glen Ridge, NJ, San Francisco, and South Egremont in the Berkshires. It was the Berkshires that she fell in love with and retired to with her husband Sydney.

Dorrie graduated from Brooklyn College where she majored in Genetics. While at Brooklyn College Dorrie was selected to deliver a paper at Yale University discussing the cross-pollination of corn to study the DNA. Dorrie aspired to be a scientist or doctor (and she would have been terrific at either), but love intervened when she met and married Sydney Ornstil, the love of her life. They were married in 1952 and had a 52-year marriage until Sydney passed away in 2004. Sydney and Dorrie had 5 children between 1955 and 1961, David, Michael, Wendy, Jon and Robin, all who were with Dorrie during her last moments.

Dorrie was very close to and truly loved her sons and daughters-in-law as they loved her. Dorrie was most proud of her 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She marveled at how each of them was unique and special and she was truly interested in their lives. She was an extraordinary Nana.

It would take pages to describe Dorrie's interests and achievements, but those who knew Dorrie are well aware of these. What most stood out about Dorrie was how genuinely interested she was in everyone she crossed paths with, how boundless was her curiosity about people and the world about her, how much she cared for those she loved, and how fiercely strong and independent she was in her opinions and her views.

Every person is unique, but some are more unique than others. Dorrie fell into that later category. She was anxious to meet up with her Sydney again and that is reassuring, but she most certainly will be missed by her big family and many friends.

A celebration of her life will take place in The Berkshires at a later date.

To send remembrances to her family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com