Dorothy Eisenstadt, 93

Dorothy Buckler Eisenstadt, died on Dec. 1, nine days short of her 94th birthday. Born in Central Falls, she was the daughter of Israel and Ida Buckler. She was a lover of reading, travel, singing and playing the piano and violin. She and her five brothers and sisters made up the Buckler Family Klezmer Band, which was a staple at family Bar Mitzvahs and weddings. 

During WWII she worked as a secretary at Fram where practice bombs were made. She also directed plays at Bryant College. In 1950, she married Herbert Eisenstadt and moved to Bristol, where sons Michael and Carl were born. She worked as a legal secretary, played in the Barrington Symphony, sang with the Choraleers, and was active with the Bristol-Warren Players, appearing in and directing plays and musicals. 

In 1967 the family moved to Melbourne, Florida. She worked as a secretary for RCA at the Tech Lab at Patrick Air Force Base and also at the Kennedy Space Center. While living in Florida, she played violin with the Brevard Symphony Orchestra. 

The family moved to Columbia, South Carolina, in 1970 where they met a great group of friends and entertained often. Dorothy and Herb were devoted to each other and enjoyed a very happy marriage of 38 years. Dorothy worked as a legal secretary until retiring at age 71. 

She was a long-time member of Beth Shalom Synagogue and loved to sing there. For years not a musical program was presented at the shul without Dorothy having a hand in it. Her specialty was singing the Hashkiveinu every year at the High Holy Days. She enjoyed playing bridge, mah jongg, and the great friends she made over coffee at St. Josephs Catholic Church. 

She is survived by son Carl Eisenstadt and his wife, Terri, daughter-in-law Debbi, grandchildren Emily, Mark (Melissa), and Keith Eisenstadt, and two great-grandchildren, Maxwell and Mackenzie. She is preceded in death by her husband, Herb, her son, Michael, and her brothers and sisters, David Buckler, Ceila Bochner, Sarah Cutler, Ralph Buckler and Bernie Buckler.