Dorothy L. Witzel

Dorothy "Dottie" L. (Specht) Witzel, 74, of Bedford, died peacefully January 7, 2008 at her residence surrounded by her family after enduring a long and serious illness. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on April 9, 1933, the daughter of Christian and Rose (Milone) Specht Sr. and moved to Manchester in 1953. She had worked for NYNEX for 25 years. After retirement, Dottie focused her time and energy working for the Town of Bedford as an election official and later was elected Supervisor of the Checklist, a role she held for over 13 years. On November 28, 2007, the Town Council of Bedford, acknowledged Dottie's contributions to the town by unanimously appointing her, Supervisor of the Checklist Emeritus. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and the Eastern Star. In Her Life: Dottie's family includes her husband of 55 years, Walter Witzel; one daughter Valerie A. Tarbell and her husband, Robert of Manchester; a son, Jeffrey G. Witzel and his wife Michele of St. Augustine, FL; four grandchildren, Jason Robert Tarbell and Joshua Ryan Tarbell both of Manchester, Jeffrey Garrett Witzel and Kaytlin Lang, both of St. Augustine, Florida; one brother, Christian William Specht, Jr. and his wife Joan of New York; and nephews, nieces and cousins. Dottie will be lovingly remembered by her family, many friends and by the Bedford town officials and employees who looked forward to seeing her every Tuesday (like clockwork) as she fulfilled her responsibilities as Supervisor of the Checklist for nearly 14 years. Her dedication and attention to detail was appreciated not only locally but throughout the state. Calling hours will be at the Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Friday at 10:00 AM. Spring burial will take place in Bedford Center Cemetery on Saturday May 17th at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA of Manchester and Southern NH, 33 South Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101.