Although there are many definitions of a “saint,” perhaps the best known is from the Oxford English Dictionary... “a person acknowledged as holy or virtuous and regarded in Christian faith as being in heaven after death.”

On Sunday, July 9, retired Minister Emeritus James L. Pratt led an early Sunday service dedicated to the memory of Dorothy Steel, who Pratt described as a “Saint” because of her activities while she was alive and very active in the Noank Baptist Church.

Dorothy was born May 13, 1917, to poverty in Wells, England, during World War I. Despite economic rigors, she had an adventurous, active imagination as a child. However, she eventually began dedicating herself to humanity and became a charge nurse for the Royal Eastern Counties Hospital in Colchester, England. Later, during World War II, she met Donald Steel, who had been stationed in England while serving with the US Army/Air Corps. They married in May 1945 shortly before the end of the war and moved to this area, where Don received his degree at URI and worked as a draftsman at Electric Boat for many years.

They had two children, Heather and David, who both still live in Noank. David is also the Noank fire chief. Dorothy became very active in local affairs and organizations. She was a member and Deacon of the NBC, served on the Board of Mystic River Homes (elderly housing) and was most especially active as a board member of the Noank Baptist Group Homes for Girls.

Her primary focus was on the Main Street House (MSH) girl’s residence, which (as she described it) “became the dream of some with foresight to make it a haven for God’s adolescents.” Her efforts to help the young girls were tireless and included weekly Sunday dinners at her home as well as teaching Sunday School at MSH.

She was considered, by all accounts, to be a community activist.

Dorothy became known as a person of tolerance, welcoming all people, as well as being humble...” I haven’t supped with the Queen of England...but today I supped with the King of Kings at the Holy Communion Table.”

Yes, Dorothy was a poet as well as an artist and later became a renowned calligrapher. Rev. Pratt presented several of her photographs, paintings and calligraphy samples for discussion by our group, and encouraged reminiscences by those who had known her years ago. We came away with impressions of a sensitive, courageous person with reverence for life who prioritized family, strong friendships, care for the vulnerable (including regular visits to prisoners) and living positively, regardless of one’s circumstances.

Sadly, Dorothy did experience two serious bouts with breast cancer.

Rev. Pratt recalled visiting her in the hospital after one surgery. Dorothy greeted him from the bed saying cheerfully, “Well, what a pretty kettle of fish THIS is.”

And her adventurous spirit (perhaps coupled with a desire to be near Heaven?) was evident when, at some point prior to Dorothy’s 70th birthday, son David took her parasailing with friends on Misquamicut Beach, successfully, behind a truck!

Dorothy Steel died in June 1987. One of our group, Vivian Smith, had written a farewell to her, which Vivian read to us at the closing of our service.

This is a poem to you, Dorothy...whose love has reached out and touched so many

whose Christian faith has been a demonstration of hope.

This is for the giving of your talent and time through busy hands and loving heart

Displaying strength and courage, losing neither humanness, acceptance nor curiosity

And so it is written for you, friend who has traveled this life’s road,

to leave your humble beginnings and become all you were meant to be

to find a new adventure, soaring with the sea gulls...living with God.”

Ed Johnson lives in Noank.