WESTFIELD – Dorothy Arnault Hass (1922-2018), wife of the late Alvin Weiland Hass, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2018. Born prematurely on November 5, 1922, in Saxtons River, VT to Gertrude and Richard Arnault, she was put aside as dead while the midwife tended to her mother. She announced herself with a lusty cry and was immediately wrapped in cotton batting. This survival instinct served her well. She lived her entire childhood and much of her adulthood in Bound Brook, New Jersey. A registered nurse with great leadership skills, Dot helped establish one of the first methadone clinics in central New Jersey. She also served as a member and president of the Bound Brook Board of Education. Upon their retirement, Dot and her husband Al moved to Saxtons River, Vermont, where she served as the village tax collector, Guardian Ad Litem for The Vermont Judicial Court System and dedicated member of Christ’s Church in Saxtons River. Dot will be remembered for her sharp wit, compassionate listening and good humor. She appreciated the gifts she was given and spent no time focusing on the negative in any realm of her life. She leaves behind five children: Gail Hass and Janet St. Jean of Westfield, MA, Gretchen Knoblauch of Burlington, NJ, Paul Hass of Atlanta, GA and James Hass of Springfield, MA. She also leaves four grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. She leaves no regrets.
A memorial service will be held at Christ’s Church, Main Street, Saxtons River, Vermont on Saturday, October 13 at 11:00 AM. Memorial gifts may be made to Christ’s Church, 24 Main Street, Saxtons River, Vermont 05154.
Dot’s family would like to extend sincere thanks to Armbrook Village in Westfield, Genesis Health Care in Westfield and Holyoke Hospice for their extraordinary care and compassion.
