Dorothy Jessie Underwood, 87, of Hudson Falls, NY, mother of 11, has gone home on Sunday, May 15, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.

Born on March 13, 1929 in Pawlet, Vermont, she was the daughter of the late Clayton A. and Jessie L. (Corey) Ballard.

She received her education in Hudson Falls and married Charles E. Undewood on July 21, 1946 in Hudson Falls, NY. They were married for 34 years and raised 11 children together.

Dorothy lived on a farm on Lamb Hill Road in East Wells Vermont from 1952 to 1959. These were the happiest years of her life where by the age of 29 she already had eight of her eleven children. She loved gardening, golf, making homemade candy, bread, jams, jellies, butter, mincemeat, canning vegetables and serving delicious meals every night. She knitted mittens and slippers, crocheted doilies and made dyed nylon flower corsages to raise money for gifts for her children. She would rise early on Sundays, put on polka music and make a big chicken and dumplings Sunday dinner, taking breaks to dance the polka around the kitchen with her children. Every Sunday night she popped popcorn at the kitchen woodstove for whole family. These were cherished times for her and her children.

Since 1959 shed resided at 229 Vaughn Road, Hudson Falls, NY. For over 10 years she was employed at Mallinckrodt in Argyle, NY where she made many friends. For all of her life she took pride in raising her family and caring for their needs. She loved all her children dearly, however she had her favorites … and we will never know exactly who they are.

Her most cherished enjoyments were caring for her beloved pet's Hannah and April, tending her blueberry patch, growing the most beautiful gladiolas, welcoming new grandbabies, great grandbabies and great-great grandbabies into the family circle and spending time with her 11 children and their families which now numbers over 100 loved ones.

Dorothy was an active member of the Jehovah's Witnesses for over 55 years.

She is predeceased by her former husband, Charles E. Underwood; a son-in-law, Richard Phetteplace; a granddaughter, Moriah Phetteplace; and a great-granddaughter, Rowan Boyer.

Survivors include her children, Linda (Lloyd) Burch, Louise (John) DeSare, Karen Phetteplace, William (Penny) Underwood all of Hudson Falls, her son Keith (Marian) Underwood of Lake Luzerne, Wayne (Phyllis) Underwood of Shushan, Daniel Underwood and his fiancé Joanne LaLonde of South Glens Falls, Diane (Bob) Michelucci of Canton, GA, Bette Shaw of Woodbury, CT, Barbara (Clemente) Amelio of Middletown, and Timothy Underwood of Rollinsville, CO; her two sisters, Norma Whitney of Corinth, and Mabel Clear of Hudson Falls. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette Street, Queensbury, NY 12804.

A service will be held at the funeral home immediately following the calling hours at noon.

Burial will be at the East Wells Cemetery on Lamb Hill Road in East Wells, VT immediately following the service.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 20 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 81 Mohican Street in Glens Falls.

Special thanks to her favorite aides from Glens Falls Visiting Nurses, Jo Manley and Betty Coulman and to the special caregivers and wonderful staff at the Fort Hudson Nursing Home Memory Care Unit.

Donations may be made to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 81 Mohican Street in Glens Falls and or SPCA of Upstate New York, 588 Queensbury Avenue, Queensbury, NY 12804 or the charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be sent directly to the funeral home or through www.bakerfuneralhome.com.