Dorothy "Dot" Tuttle Rowe, age 92, of Gloucester died Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, at Sanders Nursing Home, Gloucester, after a brief illness.
Dot was born on Sept. 8, 1919, to Grace Decker and Lewis B. Tuttle (both deceased) in the community of Cappahosic in Gloucester County. She married Herman Hansford "Hannie" Rowe (deceased) in 1949 and moved to Clay Bank, just a few miles from her birthplace. After Hannie’s death in 1988, she built a home near Gloucester Court House to be close to her only child, Barbara, and son-in-law, Alton.
Dot remained very active until her health began to decline a few months prior to her death. She took great pride in cutting her own lawn and enjoyed transporting friends to various meetings and gatherings. She loved to do things for others and remained fiercely independent as long as possible.
With no siblings of her own, her cousin, Walter Edward Allmond, was treated and loved like a brother. They remained close friends as long as he lived. Having few close relatives made Dot’s relationships with even her distant cousins very important to her and there are many whom she loved dearly.
Dot worked in the Gloucester County Commissioner of Revenue office for many years, serving for some time as Deputy Commissioner. She made many lasting friendships with co-workers.
She was very active in her church, Bellamy United Methodist, singing in the choir for many years, serving on administrative committees, heading up one of the counting teams and attending meetings of the XYZ Club. She was a faithful member of the Fannie Robinson/Lola Bland Circle of the Bellamy United Methodist Women. She also belonged to the York River Circle of The King’s Daughters and Sons. In both of these organizations she served in various capacities.
She was an animal lover all of her life and was very attached to her cats, particularly in later years. They will miss her loving touch and kind heart.
Dot is survived by her daughter, Barbara Rowe Hall and son-in-law, Alton C. Hall; many cousins, plus many relatives of her late husband, including her beloved sister-in-law, Edna Rowe South and her nieces- and nephews-in-law.
A funeral service was held at Andrews Funeral Home, Gloucester, on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011, at 2 p.m. Interment in Bellamy United Methodist Church Cemetery was private.
Memorial donations may be made to the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society, 6620 Jackson Lane, Gloucester, Va. 23061 or to a charity of your choice.