Dorothy “Dotti” P. Seaman, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away on January 1st, 2015 at the age of 83. Born to Sicilian immigrants, Salvatore and Louise Perruccio, on July 14th, 1931 in Portland, Connecticut, Dotti was the oldest of three siblings. Her sister, Irene P. Roberts, and brother, William Perruccio passed away in 2011. She married her late husband, Larry Seaman on April 21st 1963. Larry and Dotti raised their two children, Nancy and David in West Hartford, Connecticut before moving to Boca Raton, Fl. in 1983. Dotti was loved and admired by her nieces Candi Seaman and Karen Roberts, with whom she developed a special relationship. Dotti was an avid card player and much-loved member of her CT Bridge Club that was formed in 1953. She was proud to have met with all the original members most recently this past summer. Dotti’s passion for cooking inspired her to co- author two cookbooks. Never one to sit still, Dotti had a multitude of hobbies and interests that kept her active and busy, and her family was in awe of her endless energy. Dotti was an admired leader, philanthropist and role model within the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County. For more than 20 years, she was one of Federation’s most dedicated, generous and energetic activists with a wide breadth of philanthropic interests and depth of commitment. She was instrumental in forging South Palm Beach County women into a philanthropic force. She chaired the Federation’s Women’s Division from 2003 to 2005, and served as ex officio member of the Women’s Philanthropy board as well as Federation Board Director Emeritus since that time. Dotti was a recipient of the esteemed Kipnis – Wilson / Freidland Award honoring her for extraordinary service to the community through Women’s Philanthropy. Each year since 2008, the Federation’s Dorothy Seaman Leadership Award has recognized a member of the Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy Board who embodies the values of tikkun olam, tzedakah and leadership so exemplified by Dotti. She endowed the annual PACE gift of her husband Larry, and created a memorial fund in his name that supports the cultural arts programming at Jewish Association of Residential Care (JARC). Dotti was recognized nationally for her endowments in the Star of David Society and for establishing the Seaman Family Scholarship Fund to benefit the Florence Melton Adult Mini-School and endowing a fund to assist teens and young adults seeking an immersive Israel experience. A resident of Boca Woods Country Club and long time member of Temple Beth El in Boca Raton, Florida, Dotti touched the lives of so many with her compassion, generosity, sincerity, dedication and contagious love of life. She will be missed and remembered fondly by all who knew her. She is survived by her her son David, daughter Nancy and her husband Geoff and grandson Hunter.
A service will be held at the Hebrew Cemetery on Corrigan Avenue in Meriden, Connecticut on Wednesday, January 7th at 12 noon. A memorial service will be held in Boca Raton, Florida; details to be announced. The family has requested that donations, in Dotti’s name, be made to the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, 9901 Donna Klein Blvd., Boca Raton, Florida, 33428.