Dorothy Ann Gordon Zografi of Madison, Wisconsin peacefully passed away at the age of 89 on January 3rd, 2026, at Oakwood Village. Her best friend and loving husband of 68 years, George Zografi, was at her side at time of passing.

Dorothy was born on September 19th, 1936, in Montvale, New Jersey to John L. Gordon and Gertrude Mitchell Gordon. Dorothy was raised in New York City attending Public School 173, Junior High School 115, and Washington Irving High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from the State University of New York at Oswego. In 1977, Dorothy earned an AMI Montessori certification leading her to a position as a Primary level instructor at Madison Central Montessori School (MCMS). Dorothy went on to purchase MCMS, and became Head of School, growing the school from two primary classrooms to five programs spanning Toddler through Adolescence Montessori education. She was a beloved figure at MCMS, eventually retiring in 2006. Amidst her time in Montessori, Dorothy was also involved and very active with Unitarian Universalist Religious Education. She devoted many years to leadership mentorship, and education helping and guiding youth.

Dorothy had a long interest and love for dance, opera, literature and visual art. She danced ballet into young adulthood, adding in both modern and folk dancing, the latter something she enjoyed alongside her husband. Dorothy was an avid reader; especially loving the classics. She will be remembered with a New Yorker magazine, or the New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle in her hands. Dorothy loved being in nature including yearly camping trips to Door County, and spending time up at her country home in the Castle Rock area of Wisconsin with her grandchildren. Dorothy loved to travel and was always up for new

experiences. One adventure of a lifetime was her year living in Utrecht, The Netherlands with her husband, and four children, who were all under the age of ten. She always said this year changed her outlook on what is important in life and raised her four children, and related to her husband, with an emphasis on togetherness, meaningful rituals, quality time, and gratitude.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, two older sisters, Mary Jane (Jane) Gordon Walsh (William) and Margaret Elizabeth (Peggy) Gordon Battenberg (Jay Dee). She is survived by her husband, George Zografi and four children, Thomas Elias Zografi, Paul Mitchell Zografi (Amy), Anna Jane Zografi McAleavy (Paul), Ellyn Jean Zografi, and five grandchildren, Elias Joon-Keun Zografi, Rajani Satyal Zografi, Liam Thomas McAleavy, Ryan George McAleavy and Kieran Won Hee McAleavy.

Dorothy, both our emotional and intellectual “rock”, was the living embodiment of the quote Sweet are the Uses of Adversity. She was our beacon of positivity and resilience. She naturally saw any challenge as an opportunity to improve, grow and look for silver linings. In her succinct and astute way, she quietly, yet powerfully guided many of us to do the same.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, February 15th, 2026 from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Four Winds Farm, 5735 Adams Road, Fitchburg, WI. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather in Dorothy’s memory. A special tribute will begin at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 

Madison Community Montessori School

OR

Agrace Hospice