Dorothy Stokes Peppe

Dorothy Stokes Peppe died peacefully in Naples, Florida on January 6, 2012, following a very brief illness. Dottie lived a long life and remained ageless to all who knew and loved her. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1936 and was an elementary teacher in Sandusky, Ohio prior to her marriage to the love of her life, Louis J. “Lou” Peppe. She was preceded in death by her husband Lou, parents George L. and Mary K. Stokes, sisters Christine (Helena-Chris) Steinbower and Ruth Cadwallader. Survived by son, Michael G. Peppe (Kathy), brother George K. Stokes (Betty), nephews James J. Peppe (Susan), Hugh M.B. Davis III (Cheryl), John I. Cadwallader (Trish), George Stokes (Peggy), Peter Stokes (Julie), Chuck Steinbower (Peggy) and nieces Molly Grossman (Tom), Ginna Crowe (Mike), Sue Ann Lockwood (Tim), Susan Woodruff (Skip), many great and great-great nieces and nephews, many dear friends especially Mary Greetham, Jeanette Henney and Bobbie Perry, and her beloved companions, buddies and travelers Vonda Metcalf, Cassie Metcalf and Kathy Gantz. Dottie was a surrogate mom and spaghetti maker for several generations of Ohio State University swimmers and divers for her late brother-in-law, Coach Mike Peppe. She was a winter resident of Florida since 1947 and with Lou owned Valley Dale Ballroom throughout the Big Band Era. When in her 80s she was asked about driving back to Naples from visiting her sister in Sarasota,she replied that she “put the car on cruise control at 80.” That is how she lived her life---cruise control at 80 mph. She belonged to Chi Omega Sorority, was a founding member of Board 2 of Childhood League, a member of First Community Church and Group N, Scioto Country Club, Athletic Club of Columbus, and was a volunteer for Reach for Recovery, Columbus Cancer Clinic and First Community Village. Dottie was a tireless volunteer who gave hope to so many after surviving a fight with cancer in 1952. We will miss her enduring love of life and the gift of making everyone feel so special. Contributions in her memory may be made to The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, Fund Number 310921, c/o The James Development Office, 660 Ackerman Road, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus OH 43218-3112.A service in Naples will be held on the Naples beach at 14th Avenue South at 5:30 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2012. Please bring a beach chair and join the family to honor

Dottie’s life and enjoy one of her favorite activities- watching the sunset. Services in Columbus Ohio to be announced in the spring. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.