Immersed in Love
Dorothy Mae "Dot" Dwyer passed away on July 14, 2018, at the age of 88. Declining health in recent years did nothing to diminish the lasting impact of the unending affection and devotion she showered on her family for decades. Her continual embraces, boundless optimism and reassuring words provided a sense of comfort and security that can only come from unconditional love. Her influence is timeless because her self-sacrifice continues to serve as a model for her children and grandchildren.
Dot was born in Seguin on June 18, 1930. She graduated from Seguin High School in 1947 and the University of Texas at Austin in 1951. During her high school years, her physical beauty began to be publicly recognized. She was selected to represent Seguin at several community festivals across South Texas. At UT, she became a Bluebonnet Belle, one of five women selected through committee interviews from a pool of 170 on the "basis of beauty, poise, campus participation and personality," according the university's yearbook. She was also a member of the Chi Omega sorority.
65-Year Love Affair
Dot married her high school sweetheart, Jack Dwyer, in 1951, and they were rarely ever apart until his death in 2016. Initially, they lived in Seguin until 1961 when a job opportunity took them to Harlingen in the Rio Grande Valley. They returned permanently to Seguin in 1966 with a family that had grown to include four sons.
Beyond countless hours involved with the PTA and her children's scouting activities, Dot worked for almost a decade as a nursery school teacher at First United Methodist Church and periodically as a substitute teacher in Seguin elementary schools.
Traveling was one of Dot's passions. She and Jack were blessed with opportunities to take multiple trips to Europe and Mexico, and a visit to Turkey. They also enjoyed several cruises, which once included a voyage aboard the Queen Elizabeth II. Her birthdays often involved weekend visits to Laredo for stays at La Posada.
Family First, Always
Dot's love of family was the foundation of her life. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than to gather with love ones, or to go to South Padre Island with her children and grandchildren every summer for almost 30 years. She put forth extraordinary efforts to make her children and other family members feel cherished during all special occasions, focusing on the smallest details of décor, food preparation and gift selection. Holiday celebrations were magical events that reflected her unbridled joy and enthusiasm for family fellowship. Through it all, she showed us what selfless dedication to family looks like and taught us how to love.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 19, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church in Seguin, Texas, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Cathe Evins officiating. A reception at the church will immediately follow the service. Graveside services will follow after the reception at San Geronimo Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. Dot is also preceded in death by her parents, Henry Weiss, Jr. and Ethel Mae (Schuessler) Weiss, and her brother, Dr. Leroy Weiss. Survivors include sons, Dr. Stephen Dwyer and wife Judy, Dr. Kevin Dwyer, Tim Dwyer and wife Pam, and Brian Dwyer; grandchildren, Shannon Underwood and husband Joe, Kyle Dwyer and wife Sarah, Kelsey Dwyer, Taylor Dwyer, Darby Dwyer, and Delaney Dwyer; great-grandchildren, Jacqueline Underwood, and twins, Tucker and Tavin Dwyer; sister-in-law, Cliftine Dwyer; numerous nieces, nephews, other loving family members and many friends. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 710 N. Austin St., Seguin, Texas, 78155.