Dorothea May Osmun

Dedicated daughter, wife, mother, teacher.

An inspiration to all who knew her.

Dorothea May Detwiler Osmun died on Monday, January 24, 2022.

Born on September 15, 1941, to Dorothy Browne Detwiler and Edwin Hewlett Detwiler in Oceanside, New York.  Dorothea grew up in several towns on Long Island, NY…Rockville Center, Babylon, and Brightwaters.  She attended The Hewlett School in East Islip graduating in 1959 as salutatorian.  In 1963, she graduated from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA with a bachelors of arts degree in English and secondary education.  She later earned a Masters degree in secondary education from Hofstra University.

Mrs. Osmun taught English to grades 7-9 in the Bay Shore school system, Bay Shore, NY for 30 years.  Described by her students as “insightful, dedicated, challenging, and gracious,” she was a kind, encouraging mentor for many and an inspiring role model.  In addition to advising the Shoreline, an award-winning school newspaper, she also served on the board of directors for the Bay Shore Classroom Teachers Association.

Dottie married the love of her life, Richard Osmun on December 19, 1964. (Several students were in attendance.)  After spending a year in Colorado where Dottie taught in Brighton and Richard finished his degree at the University of Colorado, the couple resided in Bayport, NY for 27 years.  Their daughter, Jennifer was born there in 1971.  The family became involved with sailing, owning and racing many boats over the years.

In 1994, Dottie and Dick retired to Oriental, NC, a small coastal fishing village to enjoy sailing and casual living.  Dottie continued to pursue her love of gardening and became actively involved in many volunteer organizations.

She became president of the Oriental Woman’s Club in 1999-2000.  That was the year the club hosted 2 teams of Special Olympians, one from Turkey and one from Gambia, and the whole town became involved with entertaining them.  She also was involved with HOPE Clinic in its early years, the Hospice Thrift Shop, the Garden Club, and Oriental Dance Club.  She loved to dance!

In 1998, Dottie and Dick co-founded Harbor Sounds, a popular bluegrass gospel group whose mission was to raise money for charities.  Over $350,000 has been raised by the group in its 22 years of playing to entertain folks.  Dottie was lead singer for many years until her rheumatoid arthritis caused her to curtail her activities.

Dottie’s most outstanding accomplishment was co-founding the Ol’ Front Porch Music Festival in 2014.  It is now entering its 9 ^th year of bringing outstanding music and business to Oriental.  Dottie has been President of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the festival since its inception.

Dorothea is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Richard of Oriental; daughter Jennifer Dale White, her husband Joshua, two dearly loved grandchildren, Brandon Stewart White (18) and Rebecca Paige White (16), all of Wendell, NC.  She has one surviving cousin, Peter Rodney Bellinger of Taylors, SC.

A celebration of life will be held sometime this Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Children’s Tumor Foundation, in honor of her grandchildren.