Dora Fischer Reese

Dora Fischer Reese, 90, of West Hartford, CT, widow of William Heartt Reese, died Thursday, March 01, 2018 at St. Mary Home. Born and raised in Zurich, Switzerland, she was the daughter of the late Albert and Hedwig (Keller) Fischer. After high school Mrs. Reese received her certificate from Les Amis de l’Enfance and proceeded to work in Lausanne and then England as a nanny. Dora loved her homeland and was thankful to grow up in Switzerland. She enjoyed swimming in Genfer Lake and sailing with her brother on the beautiful Swiss lakes. Dora later worked as a concierge for the Swiss Railway, where she met William Reese, the love of her life in 1965. She then embraced his homeland as well. The couple married in Zurich and returned to Haverford, PA, where Bill was a music professor. After becoming a US citizen, Mrs. Reese received her BA degree from Fordham University and her MA degree from The City University of NY. Dora devoted her time to supporting her husband’s career and promoting music and the arts. Through the years, Dora would often host musicians visiting Haverford College, including soloists for her husband’s various performances. In 1976, they retired to Grandview-on-Hudson, NY and in 2001 moved to the McAuley in West Hartford. Dora had served as secretary for the Morning Music Club and Rockland Camerata in Grandview-on-Hudson, NY and was a member of Saint John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford. She is survived by her sister-in-law Marjorie Reese Ludlow, nieces and nephews, Joan Knight, Claire Arnold (John), Harry Ludlow (Barbara), Art Ludlow (Stacy), Betsy Johnsen (Stuart) and numerous relatives and friends in the U.S. and in Switzerland. She was predeceased by her brother, Alfred Fischer and sister-in-law Prisca. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday April 16 at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 679 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Burial will be private at Warwick Cemetery in Warwick, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Bethlehem Bach Festival, 440 Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem, PA 18018 or St. Elizabeth House, 118 Main St, Hartford, CT 06106. Taylor & Modeen Funeral Home, West Hartford has care of arrangements. For directions and online condolences, please visit www.taylorandmodeen.com.

Dora Fischer Reese

March 1, 2018