Dorothy Diane (McGill) Zaharis

Dorothy Diane (McGill) Zaharis, 62, passed away on November 2, 2023 due to an extended illness.

Dorothy was born in Ithaca on June 19, 1961 a daughter of the late Harold McGill and Lucille (Malm) McGill. She grew up in Trumansburg graduating from Charles O’Dickerson High School in 1979. Dorothy spent many years loving and riding horses. As a youth she earned many a blue ribbon riding both English and Western in area horse shows. Her talents with horses led to jobs as an exercise rider of thoroughbreds at both Finger Lakes and Fort Erie Race Tracks. Dorothy loved her family and friends. She suffered deeply over the loss of her daughter, Nicole and son, Justin. She recently lost her beloved service dog Mya, who was her constant companion.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Harold & Lucille McGill; daughter Nicole Marranca; and son Justin Murphy. She is survived by her sons, Richard Murphy and Sam Marranca; siblings, Donya (Daniel) Knapp, Darlene (Don) Schlather, Deborah (Ron) Murazzi, Doug (Penny) McGill, Daryl (Sue) McGill, and Devin McGill; several grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Family will be present to receive friends from Noon to 1:00pm on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Ness-Sibley Funeral Home, 23 South Street, Trumansburg. A Memorial Service will immediately follow at 1:00pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in Dorothy’s memory to made to the SPCA of Tompkins County.

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