Dorothy J. (Stewart) Gilmartin, 89, of Manchester, died November 18, 2012 at Villa Crest Retirement Community after a period of declining health.
She was born in Manchester on April 16, 1923 to James and Rose (Bilodeau) Stewart. She lived in Manchester for most of her life and had wintered in Clearwater, FL for many years.
Dottie was an entertainer on television and stage for more than 35 years. She appeared on WMUR TV on such shows as The Santa Claus Show as Oogluk the elf, Gerry Kearney Guest House Show as Princess Jay, as the childrens story teller and The Donn Tibbetts American Bandstand Show. Her stagename was Jay Stewart.
Dottie and her husband, Leo “Gil” Gilmartin, known as Martin-Stewart Productions, raised money for many charities throughout the state of New Hampshire including the Kiwanas Club, the Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart Hospital through variety shows that were featured at the Palace Theater and the Practical Arts Auditorium. She was the producer, costume designer and choreographer for all of these shows.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leo Gilmartin in 2000 and by a son, James P. Gilmartin in 2006.
The family includes two daughters, Sandra Connell of Manchester and Patricia St. Germain-Nuebel of Clearwater, FL; eight grandchildren, Michael Connell and his wife, Kim, Jacqueline Dion and her husband, Roland, Gerard St. Germain and his wife, Mikki, Cindy Connell, Son Ya Pacheco and her husband, Mike, Colin Gilmartin, Brendan Gilmartin and Ryan Gilmartin and his wife, Jessica; eight great grandchildren, Callie, Emily, Abby, Logan, Maya, Leila, Kristen and Michael; and several cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at St. Pius X Church, corner of Candia Road and Sarto Street in Manchester.
Memorial donations may be made to Amedisys Hospice Care, 1E Commons Dr., Unit 33, Londonderry, NH 03053.
Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester assisted the family with arrangements.