Dorothy M. Honnick

Dorothy “Dolly” Honnick, 88, passed away peacefully in her home on September 10, 2026 after a brief illness, on the first day of school.

She was predeceased by her parents Arthur and Theresa Reynolds; husband of 32 yrs, Richard Honnick; and her son, Timothy Honnick.

She is survived by her daughter, Tina Baylor (John); daughter in-law Karen Honnick; grandchildren, Joseph Pish (Krystal); Logan Baylor (Baylee); Aaron Baylor (Chloe); Laurie Bendick (Jim); Michelle Merrill; and her great-grandchildren Adalynn, Kameren, Weston, Zoey, Josie, Lyrah, Zachery (Kim), Colby, Taylor, Sophia; several nieces and nephews; and here loving dogs, Bailey and Jack.

Born in Los Angeles, CA, Dolly fondly remembered, as a child, taking a wonderous seven-day trek across the country on the Pheobe Snow train to her forever home in New York.

Dolly swam competitively for Ithaca College, where she graduated, and went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Physical Education. She accepted a position with the Union Endicott School District during her junior year of college, beginning after completion of her student teaching, and graduation. They knew they were hiring someone truly special and it would be the beginning of an extraordinary 66-year legacy at UE.

Throughout those 66 years at UE, Dolly touched the hearts and lives of thousands of students, faculty, and staff. She spent her first 32 years as a physical education teacher and was a true pioneer for women’s sports. She coached cheerleading for both basketball and football, as well as swimming, track and field, and bowling. She took several of those teams to sectional and state titles, especially bowling. Even after retirement, Dolly continued to coach bowling as a volunteer assistant coach.

For the final 34 years of her career, Dolly worked part time as a lunch monitor at Jenny F. Snapp Middle School. She loved staying connected to the children, keeping an eye of them, and be a positive influence in their lives. She also enjoyed working part-time evenings at Ideal Living Center where she cared for and spent time with Alzheimer’s patients.

Dolly followed in her mother’s footsteps and remained deeply involved in junior bowling throughout her life. While in college, she participated in junior bowling on Saturdays at the JC Recreation Center, performed clinics, and continued her involvement through the most recent season.

She served on the committee for the girls’ varsity sports in Section 4 and was Chairman and Vice-President of NYS Girl’s Swimming. She was a Certified Lifesaving Instructor and taught at the YWCA and YMCA for many years. Her dedication and contributions to the community were recognized many times. Dolly was inducted into the UE Hall of Fame in 2002 and STYBA Hall of

Fame in 2005. She was also honored at the Village of Endicott tree lighting ceremony and Grand Marshal at the Endicott Holiday Parade 2024. She was also nominated Remarkbale Women 2025 and covered by WIVT-34.

Dolly was, in every sense, the matriarch of Endicott. She loved her family, her neighborhood family, her Pine Crest family, her life, Endicott, UE- her second home, and all the people she met along the way. She had a genuine soul and a compassionate heart, and she had the remarkable ability to find the good in everyone.

Dolly lived a life of service, dedication, compassion, and love that reached far beyond the classroom, the pool, and the bowling lanes. She has left an imprint on generations of students and countless members of her community, and her memory will live on in all those fortunate enough to have known her.

At Dolly’s request there are no funeral services. True to who she was, she continued to give even in death by donating her body to science at Upstate Medical, Syracuse.

We will honor her with a Celebration of Life on Sunday, Oct 4, 2026, from 1-4 pm at Endwell Greens Golf Course and Event Center, 3675 Sally Piper Rd, Endwell, NY 13760. Anyone who wishes to share a story, a memory, or a few words is invited to do so.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to the Dolly Honnick Memorial Scholarship c/o Barb Ziska, 803 Audrey Ct, Endicott, NY 13760.