Dorothy Rich Madison
"The Popcorn Lady"

Dorothy Rich Madison, 92, died peacefully Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the Hoosick Falls Health Center after a long illness.

A life-long resident of Cambridge, Dorothy was born Nov. 12, 1914, the only child of Albert and Jennie B. Rich.

She is survived by several first cousins once removed.

After graduating from Cambridge Union School Dorothy worked in the office at Fairbanks Express in North Hoosick and retired as office manager from Colombia Corp. in Walloomsac, N.Y.

Known to people far and wide as "The Popcorn Lady," Dot helped her father run his popcorn business out of a 1925 Model T Ford popcorn wagon and after his death ran it herself for many years. That wagon and Dorothy were a fixture on the corner of East Main and North Park, selling popcorn and her famous "Dot dogs" with relish.  They were captured in several paintings and numerous photographs and will be forever part of the history of Cambridge.

Dorothy was a Past Matron and Treasurer for many years of the Cambridge Valley Chapter Order of Eastern Star No. 570.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Cambridge and in recent years had attended Embury United Methodist Church.

It was always Dorothy's wish to have friends call on her at home one last time. Therefore, friends and family are invited to call on Sunday, April 1, 2007, from 2 to 5 p.m. at 15 Gilmore Ave., Cambridge, N.Y.

Dorothy will be buried next to her mother and father in Woodlands Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Dorothy's name to the Cambridge Valley Rescue Squad, 37 Gilbert Ave., Cambridge, NY 12816.

 

TRIBUTES


 I lived in an apartment above the A&P on Main Street and each evening The Riches parked the wagon right under my windows. The corn popping machine was turned by a little clown that bobbed and nodded as the wheel went around.  Seems like nothing in this day and age, but to a child then it was wondrous and magical. Each spring we would wait  to see the clown's new suit that  Mrs. Rich had sewn over the winter. Thinking about it I can almost smell it and hear the pings as the kernels exploded  in the hot pan.
Once again, Cambridge, a great place to grow up! !
 
                                                                                               Beverly Bruce Perna 
 

My Dad worked with Dottie at Columbia Corp and my parents had a warm relationship with Dot.  And of course we always stopped by her wagon.  Such a sweet caring person - we all loved her!  I'm certain she is with our heavenly Father being greeted as she always greeted us- with a gentle smile.
 
                                                                          Wendy (Brown) Marino (1973)  


Just a couple of comments on the passing away of Dorothy Rich Madison.  I, like most of you, grew up buying popcorn from Dorothy and her father, Burt.  they were both very caring people.  I feel that is was a great privilege to have know them both.                                                  Tom Loren (Class of 1954)

 

I am sad to hear about Dorothy, but also happy that she lived a full life. I worked with her and her father Albert in the Popcorn Wagon at the fair in Schaghticoke in Sep1954 and 1955. They were such wonderful people that I have thought of them often throughout my years since. I believe Dorothy and her parents were Icons in Cambridge and surrounding communities that so many folks of more than one generation really appreciated and admired. I know for a fact that Rich's Popcorn Wagon was known well by the summer residents from NYC who had summer camps at Hedges Lake".

                                                                            Tom Dempsey (Class of 1955)                                                                             Zaragoza, Spain

                              

 

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