Dorothy K. Visalli

Dorothy Bell Knaack Alvord Visalli

March 9, 1931 to March 31, 2026

Beloved Mother

Adored Grandmother

Cherished Friend

Dorothy was born and raised in Syracuse, NY, and graduated from Valley High School. She collected travel brochures as a teenager and, by the end of her life, would be able to boast that she had traveled a great deal of the world. An Air Force wife, she would see the most of the US, live in several states, see a large portion of Europe and spend three years in Germany and three years in Japan. Dorothy loved seeing new places and people. The years she spent traveling were some of the happiest of her life.

Following her divorce in 1973, Dorothy brought herself and her three younger children back to Syracuse and began rebuilding her life. A dedicated homemaker, she ventured into the business world and created a successful career at Kemper Insurance, from where she retired in 1994. Dorothy moved from Syracuse to Wampsville, NY in 1993 and became very active in the community there. She was a member of the Canastota Seniors, the Sylvan Beach senior group, and held various offices with each. She was a long time member of the Oneida YMCA where she loved water aerobics and participated in classes several times a week. She remained active in all these activities until 2020.

Dorothy was an avid crafter and an excellent seamstress. She made many of her childrens' and grandchildrens' clothes, innumerable Halloween costumes and beautiful special occasion outfits. There wasn't a craft she couldn't master and many of her items have been sold at craft fairs or cherished by her family. She was also famous for her cakes and baking. She was also an exceptional artist.

She was the kind of person who remembered every birthday and special event for everyone from family members to co-workers and friends. She decorated her home for every holiday and created many beautiful memories for her loved ones. Dorothy was a truly beautiful soul who made everyone she met smile. It was often said by friends that Dorothy was the nicest person any of them had known.

A mother of four, Dorothy raised her children in three countries – the US, Germany and Japan. As expected in military families, each child was born in a different place – Utah, Texas, California and Okinawa. Dorothy is survived by her son Mark Alvord and daughter-in-law Stacy, son Randy Alvord, daughter Torii Carpenter and son-in-law Mike, and daughter Tracy Martin and son-in-law David. Dorothy also leaves her legacy in five grandchildren, their assorted spouses, and three great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her very much.

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