Dorothy M. Negri

Schenectady, NY. - Dorothy M. Negri passed away peacefully April 26, 2025, with her loving family by her side. Born in Schenectady on June 25, 1940, a birthday she shares with her first-born, Dorothy was the daughter of the late Alphonse and Florence (Baxter) Pacelli.

Dorothy graduated from Mont Pleasant High School and SUNY Geneseo, and obtained an MS from SUNY Albany, and continued graduate work at Boston University. She was a gifted teacher, first starting her career in English/Drama at Mohonasen JR High/HS, and local schools until she honed her teaching skills to professional development training. She was supervisor at the Department of Social Services Income Maintenance Training Institute where her expertise in training, developing curricula and management initiated her career at the Professional Development Program, Rockefeller College. Dorothy was always ahead of her time, commuting weekly to NYC to serve as the PDP NYC Program Director, contracting with HRA. After her work in NYC, she continued with PDP as Program Director, National Workforce Literacy Project with The Eddy/Northeast Health. Her love of working with students came full circle as she completed her career with over 10 years at Capital Region BOCES as teacher of New Visions Health Career Program, a competitive, honors-level, immersion-based program where her students thrived and nominated her for a community award.

Dorothy was a modern renaissance woman with a flair for drama, a spirited multi-faceted gem who lived by all the world’s a stage. Well-versed in literature, history, current events and the arts, her colorful storytelling commanded an audience, whether she was in front of a classroom, deliberating at a dinner party over an extra-dry martini (no fruit!) or sharing her wit with family and friends. She embraced her Italian and Irish heritage, traveling multiple times with Sam to Ireland and Italy, listening to Pavarotti and the Irish Rovers, and enjoying her famous corned beef/cabbage and sauce & meatballs, equally. From Chaucer to Clancy, Sorrento to the Wildwood boardwalk, Saratoga shopping with her granddaughters to playing arcade games at Bobby Dee’s with her grandson, her full range of passions led to a fulfilling life. Her favorite icons included Elizabeth Taylor, Morticia Addams and Audrey Hepburn, all of whom she portrayed in life at one time or another!

She is survived by her beloved daughters, Jackie Negri (Michael Feldman) and Paula Negri (James Piazza III), her grandchildren, to whom she was devoted, as they were to her, Nicole Feldman, Danielle Feldman and Jake Piazza, and her loving partner for over 40 years, Salvatore (Sam) Tramuta. Also survived by cousins, nieces/nephews, and friends.

Calling hours for family and friends will be from 8:00 a.m. on May 2nd at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1803 Union Street in Niskayuna. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at 9:00a.m. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Schenectady.

Dorothy’s love for theater and students will be honored by asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Debuts Theater Company, mail to: Debuts Theater c/o Jason Ford, 24 W. Campbell Road, D2, Schenectady, NY 12306 or Venmo @Jason-Ford-41 Dorothy Negri Scholarship Fund to support scholarships for youth to participate in the arts.