Doris Rowbotham

Born in New Bedford, the daughter of the late Wilfred Sr. and Doris (Clements) Fonteneau, she had resided in South Dartmouth for many years before moving to New Bedford 7 years ago.

Mrs. Rowbotham was a graduate of Fairhaven High School, class of 1930 and Holy Ghost Hospital Nursing School in Cambridge, class of 1954.

She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital and private duty nursing until her retirement in 1975.

During World War II, she volunteered with the American Red Cross transporting service men. She was a member of the St. Luke’s Hospital Retirees Club, the National Guild of Pearl K. McGowan Rug Hook Crafters, the Acadian Cultural Society, the Shining Tides Quilters, the Dartmouth Grange #162 and also sang with the Dartmouth Senior choral group. Her interests included hook rugs, quilting and oil painting.

Survivors include sons, Wayne Kingsley and his wife Shirley of Acushnet, Brian Rowbotham of New Bedford and Kenneth Rowbotham of Youngstown, Arizona; a daughter, Linda Hatchette and her husband Kenneth of Dartmouth; grandchildren, Ralph Kingsley, Keith Kingsley, Eric Kingsley and Hollis Kingsley all of Acushnet; Dawn Macomber of Derry, NH, Beth McAlpine of Dartmouth, Lisa Rowbotham and Susan Cestaro of Peoria, AZ; eleven great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was the mother of the late Ralph H. Kingsley, Jr. and sister of the late Edward and Wilfred Fonteneau Jr.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Town of Dartmouth, c/o Dorothy Rowbotham Memorial Book Fund, Southworth Library, 732 Dartmouth St., Dartmouth, MA 02748.

Private services were in the care of the Waring-Sullivan Home of Memorial Tribute at Dartmouth. For online tributes please visit: www.waring-sullivan.com