Dorothy Allis, 91, of Madison, died peacefully on July 20.  She was the wife of the late Andrew Allis. Dorothy was born on Feb. 21, 1921 in Montgomery, New York, daughter of the late John and Estelle Ahearn, who died when she was five and six, respectively.  Raised in Middletown, New York, by her maternal grandmother, the late Margaret (“Goggie”) Merryweather, Dorothy received her bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College in 1942 and a degree in physical therapy in 1945.  Dorothy practiced in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and finally at Yale-New Haven Hospital. 

While in New Haven, Dorothy met her husband, Andrew Allis, and they settled in Madison, where they raised three sons:  David, Andrew, and Stephen.  Dorothy’s husband owned the Allis Company Realtors where Dorothy worked as a broker for some years.

A spirit of unconquerable optimism and warm humor shone in Dorothy throughout her life.  She cherished the simple joy of human interaction and made friends readily, many of them, and kept them for life.  She was a loving wife, a marvelous mother, and a true friend.

Dorothy’s Christian faith was central to her life, guiding her through both happiness and adversity and providing her comfort in her final days.  Every Thursday for 30 years she hosted a ladies’ Bible study at her home, known as the Thursday Group.

She is survived by her sons, Andrew and Stephen, and her grandsons, Andrew and Patrick.www.swanfuneralhomemadison.com for condolences and tributes.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 27, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Rd., Madison.  Services will be held on Saturday, July 28, at 11 a.m., at the Evangelical Free Church in Branford, followed by lunch and fellowship at the church.  Please visit