Obituary of Dorothy "Dot" Mae Miller Goss

Dorothy "Dot" Mae Miller Goss of Westbrook, passed peacefully in her home on Monday, September 17, after a long illness. Dot is survived by her sisters Beth Dixon and Shirley Tucker both of Florida. She is predeceased by her sister Barbara Miller of Deep River and her son Mark Goss. Dorothy was a loving mother of six children: Marilyn Goss of Moodus, Eugene Goss Jr of St. Cloud Florida, Kimberly Harris of Deep River, Johnna White of Westbrook, Christopher Goss of Middletown. Dorothy also had two foster children Robert Jenkins of Deep River and Gloria Crandall of Groton. She was an amazing grandmother of 27, great-grandmother of 38 and great- great grandmother of 1. Dorothy Mae Miller born September 1, 1935 to John Valentine Miller of Essex and Helen Mowry Lee of Deep River. Dorothy was born and raised in Essex, Connecticut. She married Eugene Goss Sr of Old Lyme in 1951 and together raised their six children and foster children on Walnut Street in Ivoryton. At 33 years of age the now single mother of six received her GED and pursued an Associates in Human Services. As an active supporter of the civil rights movement, Dot marched along-side Martin Luther King Jr in Washington DC in 1963. In 1967, she started the Parks and Recreation program in Essex and was honored for her service in the 2017 St. Patrick’s Day parade as the Grand Marshall. Dorothy was involved in many community service programs between 1974 and 1981:  President of the Middlesex Mental Health Council, chairwoman of the 15 Mental Health Council, chair-head of the inter-agency council of 22 agencies for the shoreline towns, and active in the woman's league of voters. Dorothy was employed by numerous human service related agencies: Community Action of Greater Middletown “CAGM”, Comprehensive Employment and Training Act “CETA” satellite in Old Saybrook, and Convac Corporation Cramer Division in Old Saybrook. In 1981, Dot moved to Florida with her sister Barbara and began working at the Palm Beach Newspaper. While in Florida she also worked as a Section 8 counselor at Housing Authority of West Palm Beach. Dorothy moved back to CT in 1985 after missing her children and grandchildren. She then took a position as project manager with two different real estate firms. She also worked for the State of Connecticut Housing Authority in Hartford and the Department of Transportations as an Affirmative Action Assistant until she retired in 1997. Dorothy had a great love for the Connecticut River. As young women Dot and her sisters worked at Val's Fish Market in Essex that was owned and operated by their father John "Val" Miller. She is well known for her skills in boning CT River shad. In 2003, she along with several other local shad boners were featured in a documentary film "Passion for Shad" that is still shown today at the Connecticut River Museum. Dorothy loved to help people and in 1995 she assisted with Special Olympic Games. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and spending time at the beach. She was happiest when surrounded by her family and friends. A celebration of Life will be held on Saturday September 29, 2018 1pm at the Deep River Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street Essex, CT 06426