Dorothy "Dot" E. (Bouffard Temple) Engelhaupt

Dorothy Eva (Bouffard Temple) Engelhaupt

Dorothy Eva (Bouffard Temple) Engelhaupt, age 82 of Defiance, passed away in the early morning hours of June 30, 2025. Dot departed this world, but not the hearts of her family and friends.

Dorothy, often called Dot or Dottie, was born on March 27, 1943 in Pawtucket, Rhode Island to Lucien Joseph Adhemar Bouffard and Dorothy Frances (Moon) Bouffard.

Born to a Scottish/Irish/English mother and a French-Canadian father, Dorothy’s first language was French. She grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in a French-Canadian neighborhood with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents that were her neighbors. She attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic church, which was at the end of her street. 

Her parents moved to France while Dorothy was in elementary school. She attended the American School of Paris and loved and identified with the French way of life. She had wonderful memories of living there and visiting different countries while in Europe.

Her family moved back to Rhode Island where she then attended Junior High School at St. Clare’s Catholic Boarding School. She lived with the nuns and met many friends, including her fellow clam loving, sea glass hunting, beach bum friend, Barbara Champouix. Getting caught by the nuns on the rooftop of their junior high boarding school, smoking, was the beginning of their beautiful, life-long friendship.

Dorothy graduated from William E. Tolman High School in Pawtucket in 1961. After graduation, she married and began her twenty-year journey as a Navy Wife. She and her husband traveled and were stationed at naval bases in Davisville, North Kingston, Rhode Island, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and two different bases in California, the last one in Port Hueneme, California.

Her family moved from California to Defiance, Ohio in 1978, after her husband retired from his twenty-year service in the Navy. It was there, in the Ayersville school district, that they continued to raise their four kids (5, including the family’s beloved 2nd son, Troubles, a terrier mix that was smuggled into the United States from Cuba in 1966 by a corrupt pilot that was paid twice). She loved everything about living in Defiance and was the city’s biggest promoter.  

Dorothy held several positions during her time as a military wife, including Procurement Clerk at EPA National Marine Water Quality Lab, R.I.: Clerk at Public Works, Cuba, Counsellor at US Naval Hospital, Port Hueneme, California. After moving to Ohio in 1978, she worked for General Motors in the office, then on the line. It was there that she participated in union-sponsored events, was a member of the Women’s Committee and made life-time friends with many of her co-workers.  

With passion and conviction, Dorothy was a staunch Democrat. Through her actions and words, she had always supported the poor and needy. She participated with solidarity at various union picketing and protests in different cities in the surrounding states. She believed in the core values of the Democratic party and continued to be active and connected with fellow like-minded party members that truly believe in the power of the people to unite, uplift, and bring equality to the “common man”.

She was a vibrant person who enjoyed life! She enjoyed living in France in her childhood and having been a Rhode Islander, was known for her New England accent. In her retirement, she enjoyed growing vegetables (especially tomatoes) to share with others. She was an excellent cook and loved to cook all types of foods. Just a few fans favorite dishes include jalapeno poppers, spinach pie, Canadian meat pie, fried clams, clam chowder, clam cakes, “Mishi’s Chicken”, Paella and “low and slow” chuck roast.  

Her love of food was nurtured in her earliest memories of gathering “down at the house” of her grandmother, Eva Marie Cadieux Bouffard. It was there that every Sunday after church, her grandmother cooked a large breakfast spread, filled with family bonding, laughter and food! (which always included a favorite sausage called Le Boudin - blood pudding). That trio, family bonding, laughter and food, continued even later in life over long conversations with her “foodie” siblings, Carmalite nun sister, Joan, and fellow humorous twin-minded brother Chip (Al). She truly appreciated her bond with them as they reminisced and laughed about life, past and present. They were a gift to her and filled her soul with joy!

She will be remembered for her passion of being a “rescuer”, adopting many dogs who needed a forever home- some that may not have otherwise been adopted, including (but not limited to) Fluffy, Blackie, Troubles, Shuggie, Bear, Lucy 1, Chance, Jack, Sophie, Lucy 2, Eva Longoria, Sweetie, McKenzie, Brandy and Izzy. She also nurtured many kittens and cats throughout her life.  

She had a big “Joie de vivre” (exuberant joy of life) personality. She touched all who knew her and will be dearly missed.

Please keep Dorothy in your thoughts and prayers and draw those you love close. Like her, show kindness to all of God’s creatures, always.

Surviving relatives are her son, David (Stacie) Temple of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, daughters Liz (Russ) Keel of Defiance, Ohio, Deanna Temple-Frederick of Wauseon, Ohio, and Jenni Pfeffer of Oxford, Ohio. She is also survived by a brother, Albert (Vickie) Bouffard of Maumee, Ohio, and her sister, Joan Bzdusek of Milford, Ohio.  

Her surviving grandchildren are Ashley Temple (Dan Bach), Amanda Temple (Ben Metten) and Collin Temple, Justin (Aaren) Keel, Nathan (Kate) Keel, Taylor (Jessica) Keel, Spencer Frederick, Keralynne Frederick, Duncan (Lani) Frederick, Chelsea (Michael) Viox, Brittani Rawlins, Kasandre Rawlins, Corrie Rawlins and Carlie (Dylan) Carter, 17 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents, Ex-husband Wilfred Temple, Husband James Engelhaupt, brother-in-law James Bzdusek, and special friends Richard Cherry and Richard Koperski.

Visitation will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, July 15 at the funeral home with Father David Cirata officiating.

The family requests donations to the Fort Defiance Humane Society, or a rescue of your choice.

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