Dorothy Mae Gibe Bothwell, 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Jan. 20, 2025, at Covenant Living of Keene, where she had lived with her beloved husband, T. "Paul" Bothwell, for their most recent years.
Dorothy, who preferred to be called "Dottie," was born in Bridgeton, N.J., on the family farm. A bright and driven student, she skipped a grade in elementary school and graduated high school early. While she dreamed of becoming a nurse, Dottie had to wait until she turned 18 to enroll in a nursing program in Philadelphia. During that waiting period, she spent a cherished year in Oregon working as a nanny for her favorite uncle and his family.
Dottie pursued her passion for nursing and graduated in 1948 with her nursing degree from Temple University. She built a successful career as a registered nurse. Her work included home care, visiting nursing and hospital nursing. Her skill and compassion touched countless lives.
Dottie's life changed forever during a weekend adventure in Cape May, N.J., where she met Paul Bothwell. He found her sweeping the kitchen floor early one morning at the hostel where they were both staying, as he searched for a cup of coffee. According to Paul, he fell in love with her the moment he saw her. The two married on July 10, 1954, at the old Marlboro Church in Bridgeton, N.J., where Dorothy had grown up.
The couple began their married life in the Philadelphia area, where they welcomed their first two children -- Peter, born in June 1955, and Nancy, born a little more than a year later.
Paul's career eventually brought the family to Boston and New England, where they settled for many years in Watertown, then Natick and finally Wellesley, Mass. During this time, Dottie and Paul welcomed two more children, Barbara and Jim (James), both born in the Boston area.
Summers and winters alike were filled with family adventures, and Dottie was at the heart of it all. Winters were spent skiing in New Hampshire, where weekend trips to local ski areas became a family tradition. Although a somewhat reluctant skier, Dorothy was ever the good sport, joining in with enthusiasm as her children learned to ski and enjoy the snow. Summers were spent at their beloved lakeside homes, first at Pemiguassett Lake near Meredith, and later on their beloved Squam Lake. Dottie embraced the lake life, learning to water ski, paddling the canoe, picking blueberries and gathering fresh corn from local farms.
Dorothy was ahead of her time in her commitment to environmental stewardship and her passionate investment in recycling. Her youngest son, Jim, has vivid memories of her teaching the family to sort recyclables long before it became common practice.
Early in their retirement, Dorothy and Paul fulfilled a lifelong dream of traveling the world. They spent many years exploring far-off places, taking trips that combined learning experiences with adventure. Whether traveling within the United States or venturing to other countries, they delighted in immersing themselves in new cultures and expanding their own knowledge and deepening their appreciation for the diversity of the world.
In retirement Dottie and Paul stayed in New Hampshire, where they fully embraced their community of Keene, dedicating themselves to philanthropy and volunteer work. Dottie and Paul were founding members of the Kiwanis Club of Keene and spent more than 30 years as active members, enthusiastically participating in and supporting every activity and cause they could. Their tireless efforts and giving spirit earned them the Kiwanis Club's prestigious Volunteers of the Year Award, a reflection of their shared passion for giving back and making a difference in the lives of others.
Dottie and Paul participated each semester in the CALL (Cheshire Academy for Lifelong Learning) program at Keene State College. Every Friday for 30 years they attended classes in innumerable topics.
Dottie was extremely musically talented, possessing a beautiful singing voice and a lifelong passion for music. She enjoyed singing throughout her life, finding joy in harmonizing. Dottie was also a gifted pianist -- playing music was a constant thread in her life, and she continued to play the piano until the very end.
Dottie was also an avid artist, expressing her creativity through painting and sculpting, producing beautiful works that reflected her appreciation for animals, birds, landscapes and the world around her.
Dottie and Paul shared 70 wonderful years of marriage, full of ups and downs while raising their family, and always with hearts full of love. Dottie's greatest joy was her four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren (the youngest born just eight days before her passing).
In her final months, Dorothy resided on the nursing floor at Covenant Living following a fall and subsequent health challenges. Despite these difficulties, she continued to inspire those around her with her sweet smile, grace, resilience and gentle spirit -- and, of course, piano playing.
Dottie's life was marked by kindness, strength and an unwavering dedication to her loved ones, her community and her passions. She will be remembered for her warm heart, musical gifts, artistic talent and the countless lives she touched through her work, art and philanthropy.
A family-only celebration of Dottie's life will be held in the Spring of 2025. The family kindly requests donations be made to your local hospice or home healthcare program.