Obituary : Dorothy Frank
Published: January 21, 2010
Dorothy "Dotty" (Lewis) Frank, a native of Oak Bluffs, died in Tucson, Ariz., where she resided for the past 34 years. Dotty died at home on January 16, from complications due to diabetes. She was 77.
Dotty was the daughter of Angelica and Manuel A. Lewis, immigrants from Faell, Portugal. After high school, Dotty went off-Island to attend the Barbizon Beauty School. Her drive and entrepreneurial spirit led her to open Dot's Beauty Shop on County Road in Oak Bluffs. Her shop was attached to the home she shared with her husband, Manny Frank. She felt it was an ideal arrangement for her to raise her children - Dale, Leslie and Peter. Dotty was outgoing and gregarious by nature and she enjoyed the friendships she forged with her clients. Over later years, she sustained those friendships with letters and phone calls.
Dotty relocated to Arizona to be closer to her daughter and her grandchildren. In Arizona, she found work with Market Research Companies that allowed her to apply her natural people skills. Upon retirement, Dotty found time to pursue her interests in crafts, gardening, household projects, local travel, and occasional visits to casinos.
Dotty is survived by her children, Dale Frank, Leslie Berryman, and Peter Frank and their spouses, respectively, Dawn Evans, Bruce Berryman, and Anastasia Frank. Her grandchildren include Hannah, Katherine, and Charles Frank of Whately; Christopher Dietz of Mahopac, N.Y.; Andre Muzik of Everett, Wash.; and Anthony and Natalie Frank of Hanover. Her great-grandchildren include Jenna and Krista Dietz and Devan Hendry-Muzik.
Dotty was predeceased by her sisters, Elizabeth Madeiras, Mary Goode, and her brother, Manuel Lewis. In addition, she lost her nephews, Richard Madeiras, Steven Goode, and niece, Joyce Balboni. Her former husband, Manuel A. Frank III, died in May 1990.
Calling hours for those friends and family who wish to pay tribute to Dotty will take place from 6 to 8 pm on Friday, Jan. 22, in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, located on the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs. A funeral service at the funeral home is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 23, at 10 am, officiated by the Rev. Thomas Lopes. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, located on Pacific Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Please join the family at a potluck luncheon at the Portuguese-American Club on Vineyard Avenue in Oak Bluffs immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 399, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.
