Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in Weatherly and Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, Dottie was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory. She then attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA where she met Fred, the handsome upper classman, who became her husband of 53 years. When Fred sailed off as an officer in the US Navy, Dottie supported him from their home bases of Charleston, SC and Washington, DC while raising their young children.

In 1972, after Fred left the Navy, the couple settled in the Washington, DC suburbs finding a home in Rockville, MD where they spent the next 36 years. Together, Dottie and Fred founded the real estate firm, Potomac Properties, Inc. which they successfully managed together until their retirement. Dottie was deeply involved in professional and civic activities supporting the real estate profession as a board member of the Maryland Association of REALTORS, in various civic roles for the City of Rockville, was a many year President of the Rockshire Homeowners Association, and founding member of the Rockshire Garden Club. Dottie could not leave the house without being greeted by someone who knew and respected her for her numerous professional and community activities.

Dottie and Fred have three children and five grandchildren. Fred Jr and his wife, Katy are the parents of Alex, Ben, Christopher, and Lindsey. They live in Gaithersburg, MD. Gail Thoms Kozeliski and her husband, Brian, are the parents of Anke and live in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Laura Thoms lives in Washington, DC where she is the archivist of the famous Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown. Dottie’s fourth child is her treasured Wheaten Terrier, Duffy. Dottie and Duffy were inseparable. He provided her with steadfast companionship, comfort and unconditional love.

Dottie was a loving Mother and Grandmother and followed her grandchildren’s studies, sports, arts, and careers with pride. Nothing made Dottie happier than when she surprised the grandkids with the backyard swimming pool at their home on Hawks Canyon. Dottie treasured her beautiful home gardens in Rockville and Austin and took pride in showing her gardens to anyone who asked for a tour. Dottie was an avid reader and a skilled and ruthless card and board game player. She relished the time she spent with her friends in her many clubs. In Austin, Dottie and Fred were very active in the Young at Heart and the Newcomers Clubs where they found a warm group of people that embraced them and where they made deep and lasting friendships.

Dottie will be missed – she was truly a one-of-a-kind treasure!

A memorial celebration of life service will be held for Dottie on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 11 am at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 411 Ranch Rd 620 South in Lakeway, Texas.

This fall, Dottie will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery where she will join Fred. Another memorial service will be held in DC area at that time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.