Ellington Obituary: Dorothy Willis, 89

Dorothy J. (Crawford) Willis, 89, of Ellington, died peacefully on January 8, 2016.

Dorothy was born in Springfield, MA on September 20, 1926 to Thomas and Lillian Crawford. She grew up in Springfield and attended Commerce High School studying business administration. She worked as a bookkeeper and office assistant while raising three children in several different areas of the country.

Dorothy married Robert N. Willis of Villa Rica, Georgia in 1942 while “Neal” was on military assignment at Westover Air Force Base during World War II. They enjoyed a 64 year marriage until Neal’s passing in 2006. In their retirement years together, they especially enjoyed being “snow birds” with homes in Ellington and in Sarasota FL.

Dorothy is survived by her three children: Robert N. Willis Jr. and wife Heidi of Ocala, FL, Christine N. Botting and husband Dave of Sun City Center, FL and Richard J. Willis and wife Trish of Ellington. She is additionally survived by seven grandchildren, Kevin Willis of Cumming, GA, Kim Panguito of Tolland, Keri Liles of Atlanta, GA, Matt Ellis of Ellington, Rebecca Ellis of Seattle, WA, and Brendon and Carling Willis of Ellington, and 9 great grandchildren.

Dorothy was a member of the Rockville United Methodist Church and was an active member at the Ellington Senior Center right up until her death. Dorothy had many hobbies and areas of interest throughout her life that included gardening, music and dance. She was a talented seamstress, knitter and quilter with many of her beautiful creations adorning the homes of her family.

In her retirement years, she enjoyed square dancing and line dancing, performing at many locations including The Big E. She also taught line dancing at the Ellington Senior Center for many years. She loved music, especially the old standards, show tunes and big band songs and could be heard humming or singing them at any time. She had an ever-present sense of humor that kept her family, friends, doctors, nurses and other health care providers laughing, even in her waning days.

Dorothy’s family would like to extend their deepest thanks to the several home health care professionals that loved and cared for “Dot” over the past few years, especially Bettie-Jeanne and Jim Darby whose dedication to Dot’s health and happiness was very special.

Her family will receive friends for memorial calling hours on Thursday, January 14, 2016 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Ladd-Turkington & Carmon Funeral Home, 551 Talcottville Road (Route 83), Vernon followed by a memorial service beginning at 7 p.m. Committal service will be on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 1 p.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dot’s name to the Ellington Senior Center or the Cornerstone Soup Kitchen.

See more at www.carmonfuneralhome.com.