Dorothy Eleanor Frager, age 91, passed away peacefully at her home at Celebration Assisted Living Apartments on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Dorothy was born in 1934 at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, New York, to Otto and Inez Ratz. She grew up in New York and attended Newtown High School in Elmhurst, graduating in 1952. During all four years of high school, Dorothy was a cheerleader and was remembered for her warmth and charm. Her yearbook included the words: “One of our cheerleaders who’s cute as can be is Dorothy here, you’ll all agree.”

While in high school, Dorothy developed a passion for both ice and roller skating. She competed extensively, creating and sewing many of her own skating outfits. Her talent and dedication led her to numerous competition victories, eventually reaching an impressive fourth-place national ranking at national competitions held in Denver, Colorado.

Following high school, Dorothy attended New York City Community College, where she earned a degree in Applied Arts and Sciences, and later continued her education at Columbia University.

After completing her studies, Dorothy began her professional career as a lingerie buyer in New York City. Fate stepped in when she met the love of her life, Victor Frager, in an elevator in the Empire State Building. Their love story continued to grow, and while skiing together at Belleayre Mountain, Victor proposed. They were married and shared 60 wonderful years together, first making their home in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

Dorothy and Victor were blessed with two sons, James Michael Frager and Colin Phillip Frager. After Colin was born, Dorothy chose to devote herself fully to raising her family, and they later settled in Hillsdale, New Jersey.

As her children grew older and entered school, Dorothy pursued another passion—writing. She became an accomplished quilting author and wrote nine quilting books for Chilton Publishing. Among her most successful works were Quilting Primer I and Quilting Primer II, which became widely appreciated by quilting enthusiasts.

Once her sons graduated from high school, Dorothy returned to New York City and resumed her career in fashion, working for Paul Stuart on Park Avenue as a men’s clothing buyer. She specialized in men’s suits and custom made-to-measure clothing.

Dorothy was also a wonderful cook whose kitchen was often another gathering place for family and friends. She created and compiled a cookbook for men that contained many of her favorite recipes and cooking tips. Although it was never formally published, it became a treasured family keepsake and was lovingly handed down to her son James.

With the birth of her grandson Jack, Dorothy and Victor moved to Cumming, Georgia, to be closer to James and his family. In Georgia, Dorothy remained active and involved in her community, participating in a quilting club and a book club. She also lovingly helped James by overseeing accounts receivable for his business in the mornings and caring for her grandson Jack in the afternoons.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Victor Frager, who passed away in 2018 in Cumming, Georgia. Dorothy will be remembered for her creativity, determination, warmth, and devotion to her family. Whether she was writing books, sewing, skating, cooking, reading, helping others, or spending time with those she loved, she brought energy and love into everything she did.

She is survived by her sons, Jim Frager and Colin Frager, along with her family and many friends who will miss her dearly.

Her memory and love will live on in the many lives she touched.

May she rest in peace.

Graveside Services Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 2:30 pm at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Road, Schuylerville, NY 12871.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com