Meet Dorothy Fairweather
by Kathleen Downey
Dorothy Fairweather wears her simple elegance and altruism unpretentiously. Compassion and caring rest upon her small shoulders, ready to propel a quiet, steadfast resolve that has led Fairweather to accomplish large acts of kindness.
Fairweather’s selfless nature is inspired by one of her heroes, Albert Schweitzer. The late philosopher’s love for animals and desire to protect them from harm is a calling that Fairweather shares and is a passion that imbues her life. Like Schweitzer had been in life, Fairweather is a vegetarian.
As one of the founders of the Merrimack River Feline Rescue Society (MRFRS) (www.mrfrs.org), and the society’s first president, Fairweather helped to save the lives of the hundreds of homeless cats and kittens who once lived along Newburyport’s waterfront. And it was Fairweather’s generosity and instrumental support that helped the society realize a crowning achievement one year after its inception: the opening of the MRFRS adoption shelter and headquarters in 1993, located today at 63 Elm Street in Salisbury. Recalling the early days of the society, when she and a handful of other volunteers worked so closely together to help Newburyport’s feline population, Fairweather says, “We operated on pure passion. Passion gave us the energy we needed to help the many cats who had touched our hearts.” She adds, “I am incredibly proud that the MRFRS has continued.” (In fact, the MRFRS is now a nationally recognized organization.)
Fairweather still lends her support to the MRFRS through various ways, including her active role on the Captain Courageous Committee. Named in memory of a grizzled, proud orange tabby cat, the committee manages a fund to help injured homeless or feral cats in the greater Newburyport area.
Fostering the human-animal bond is important to Fairweather. As an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church on Pleasant Street, she has helped to bring several “animal-friendly” guest ministers to the pulpit. Currently, Fairweather is working out the details to bring Gary Kowalski, minister and author of The Souls of Animals, to the church. And she is also on the Blessing of the Animals Committee, with this year’s blessing scheduled for Sunday, June 20 (Father’s Day).
Besides loving animals, Fairweather loves her family. She shares her home in the South End with her husband Howard, daughter Bobbi-Jo, and three felines. Her daughter Gwen lives out of town. A nearly fatal automobile accident last July, in which both Fairweather and Bobbi-Jo were involved (Fairweather suffered a broken neck and endured lengthy rehabilitation), gave her “a complete new appreciation for life.” The accident also served to strengthen and enrich the bond between mother and daughter.
Fairweather also loves her community. “Newburyport is a special place,” she says. “In some communities, people don’t know one another. But Newburyport is a community where people know and care about one another, and they care enough to get involved.” Fairweather herself is very civic-oriented and has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Maritime Museum, the YWCA, the MRFRS, and the Unitarian Church. Fairweather also supports her community by shopping in town and supporting local businesses. (In fact, our interview took place at Revitalive Café, in The Tannery, over a glass of coconut water and a mango smoothie.) “I love living in Newburyport,” Fairweather proudly says. “The city is not just a beautiful place for tourists to visit, the city is a beautiful place to live; it’s home.”
Kathleen Downey is a contributing writer for Newburyport-Today if you are a “Townie” and would like to be interviewed by Kathleen, please let us know!
