It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of Dorothy Fulton Quamina, aged 89, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Boston, Massachusetts on January 29th, 2025. Dorothy passed away after a prolonged illness in the presence of her dear husband, Benjamin Andre’ Quamina, son Benjamin Andre’ Quamina II, and niece, Valerie Fulton-Stanley.

Born on October 11th, 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dorothy was the daughter of William Fulton and Thelma Giles Fulton, originally from Kingstree, South Carolina. She was predeceased by her parents, two brothers, Dwayne and William Fulton, a sister WillaMae Doner, and her brother-in-law, Johnnie Dorner.

A graduate of Schenley High School in Pittsburgh, she went on to become the first African-American manager in the real estate department at Bell Telephone, which sparked her lifelong interest in architecture, antiquing, and interior design. Rarely one to remain passive, Dorothy’s pursuits extended beyond the professional world as she embarked on a foray into fashion modeling as well as began attending university courses to further her education. In 1958, at a college mixer, she would meet her future husband. After their marriage in 1962, Dorothy's interests further expanded into real estate investing, global travel, and a wide range of philanthropic endeavors that reflected her desire to give back to her community. One of her proudest achievements was co-founding and becoming the acting director of "Groupways," a groundbreaking group home for boys ages 15-19 who were wards of the state. Dorothy's leadership helped establish this first Massachusetts group home in the South End of Boston, which she ultimately helped to expand into five different physical sites in the area. She was instrumental in creating a model that prioritized stability and community for the young residents, ensuring that each home had live-in house parents as well as a counselor, with a maximum of seven boys per home. Her dedication to this cause was driven by her belief that this environment would offer the boys the best chance for personal growth and a sense of belonging. Dorothy was also deeply invested in Black women’s professional empowerment groups and was a member of the Rutland Square neighborhood association.

Dorothy Fulton Quamina’s strength of purpose, generosity of spirit, and deep social consciousness permeated every aspect of her life. Fiercely independent and unwavering in her convictions, she was a woman who moved to her own rhythms, balancing risk-taking, fashion savviness, and commitment to family. A trailblazer ahead of her time, Dorothy Fulton Quamina was a force of nature—a woman whose presence and impact will be remembered and missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Benjamin Andre’ Quamina, her loving son affectionately known as “AJ” Benjamin Andre’ Quamina II, sister-in-law Irene Fulton, as well as her many beloved nieces and nephews Michele Doner, Stacy Doner, Steven Doner, and wife Denise, Cynthia Clarke, Mark Green, Valerie Fulton-Stanley, Romaine Fulton, Alison Smith and husband Terry, Ingrid Fulton- Edwards and husband Keith, Cornel P. Fulton and wife Lakonia, and Dwayne C. Fulton and wife Yvette. Additionally, Dorothy had 14 grand-nieces & nephews and four great-grandnieces & nephews, as well as a host of cousins, extended family, and friends who loved her.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks that donations be made to the Quamina Student-Run Free Clinic Term Resource: (checks made payable to the “Duquesne University College of Osteopathic Medicine” (DUQCOM) Funds may be sent to: Jim Miller SVP, University Advancement, 506 Administration Building ,Duquesne University , 600 Forbes Avenue , Pittsburgh, PA 15282

Or via this link: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/831/lg20/form.aspx?sid=831&gid=1&pgid=4011&cid=7219&dids=241.24&sort=1&bledit=1&appealcode=WEBQUAMINA

Visiting hour will be on Wednesday February 12th from 11 AM - 12 PM in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02118.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following the visitation in the Church at 12 Noon.

Interment will be at a later date in Pittsburgh, PA.

To live stream Dorothy's Service go to: www.harborview.live