May 6, 1935 – October 16, 2026
Dorothy Lee Leatherman Salamy, age 91, of Cary, NC, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday, October 16, 2026, at HeartFields at Cary Assisted Living. She was a beloved wife, mother, “Grammy” and friend who showed kindness and generosity to all.
Dorothy was born on May 6, 1935 in Moorefield, WV, to the late Helen H. Leatherman. She married Henry G. Salamy on August 16, 1969. Survivors include her two children, Ann M. Salamy and husband Andrew Martin of Grand Haven, MI; Timothy A. Salamy and wife Frith Gowan, and grandchildren Ethan and Emmett of Carrboro, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband.
Dorothy received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, WV, and her master’s degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
While at Shepherd, she was selected for honors by membership in Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. She then worked as an elementary school teacher in Montgomery County, MD, and with the US Army in Karlsruhe, Germany.
For many years she was an active leader in the Boy Scout and Girl Scout local organizations in Alexandria, VA, and assisted at other local charities. She enjoyed her years as a member of the local Homemakers Club, Red Hat Society and water aerobics classes. After her late husband’s retirement from the Internal Revenue Service, they moved to Cary, NC, to be closer to their grandchildren.
Her ashes will be interred at St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online to the Last Dollar Fund through the Shepherd University Foundation website, or via mail to P.O. Box 5000, Shepherdstown, WV 25443.
Checks should be made payable to the Shepherd University Foundation and include “Last Dollar Fund –in Memory of Dorothy Lee Leatherman” on the memo line.
