Mary Marlene Dotson

“She entered His gates with thanksgiving in her heart and she entered His court with praise.” On the morning of March 31, 2009 Mary Marlene Dotson passed away peacefully in her Georgetown home surrounded by her friends and family, ending her battle with lung cancer. Marlene will always be remembered for her happy and outgoing personality. Her smile made love for life shine in everyone that she met. Her devotion to her Lord and the love of Jesus Christ flowed through her every thought, she truly had a servant’s heart. She loved the outdoors, especially if that involved a golf course or a football field. She golfed whenever she could fit a round into her busy schedule, and Sunday afternoons in the Fall were always spent cheering for her favorite San Diego Chargers. When she moved to Austin, Marlene quickly became a big fan of UT football. She also loved cooking, and entertaining friends in her home. Marlene had strict instructions “in case of a fire, rescue my cookbooks first”. Daily walks with her constant companion, MacGregor the beloved West Highland Terrier, were a great opportunity for Marlene to catch-up with neighbors and to make new friends. Her grandchildren knew Marlene as “Bunga”, the most devoted grandmother that you will ever know. Marlene graduated from Mercy School of Nursing at Iowa City, IA. She was the Nursing Director of the Emergency Medical Services Department in El Centro, CA and led in its development efforts from a 3-bed facility to the present emergency trauma center that serves the area. She later served as the Director of Nursing in several large, exceptional long-term health centers in San Diego, CA. Born on February 23, 1940 in Washington, IA she is survived by her husband, David Dotson and their children: Amy Busalacchi and her husband Laurie of Pocatello, Idaho, and their children Benn and Eric; Stephanie Leuenberger and her husband Bryan of Austin, Texas; Jeanene Perry and her husband Mark of San Diego, CA; David Dotson, Jr. and his wife Doreen, and their children Matt, Suzy, and Sara of Temecula, CA; and Angela Giardini and her husband Andrea, and their daughter Alessandra of White Plains, NY. Marlene is also survived by her brother John Benn and his wife Debbie, along with their children and grandchildren. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Howard and Helen Benn; and her brothers Norman and Mark Benn. The family would like to convey a special thanks to Dr Darren Kocs and the entire staff at the Texas Oncology Center in Round Rock, and to the Hospice Austin Christopher House and staff for everything that you did for all of us. Memorial services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Georgetown, TX on Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Marlene’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Compassion International. Local arrangements are under the direction of Gabriels Funeral Chapel in Georgetown.