Dorothy Louise Rooke

Dorothy L. "Dotty" Rooke, age 91, of Longmont, Colorado passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023. She died quietly at TruHospice, Longmont Center, of complications from a fall, and after several years of brave struggle with dementia.

Dotty was the first and only child of Robert H. & Martha D. Rooke of Hamilton, Ohio. She attended Miami University of Oxford, Ohio, graduating with a B.A. and an M.A. in Education, going on to teach Phys Ed & Health at the Junior High and High School level in a teaching career that spanned several decades and three states: California, Ohio and Colorado. Her last 25 years were at Southern Hills Junior High and Fairview High in Boulder, Colorado, where she spent her latter teaching years working in Library Administration.

Dotty was a very active member of Heart of Longmont (formerly First United Methodist Church Longmont) since 1968, where, using her library skills, she was instrumental in improving the church library. She was also a Stephen Minister for several years, and had a quiet way of contributing in other ways for the benefit of the congregation.

At her home, she was a gifted cook always digging through cookbooks for a new recipe, enjoyed gardening, and loved animals, especially the Boxers she had through the years.

After her retirement in 1990, she continued to enjoy life with her companion, Jan, at their home on ten-acre "JR Ranch," cooking, gardening, reading, hiking, traveling, and adding competitive senior volleyball competition which she enjoyed until age 82. She was an excellent player and has an impressive medal collection from state and national tournaments. Dotty and Jan had the opportunity to travel the USA & world, took five Caribbean Ocean cruises as well as river cruises of the Columbia & Snake Rivers in Northwest US and the Rhine River in Germany.

Fifty years after taming the ten acres of rural land for hay and horses, building and later improving a custom home, Jan and Dotty hung up their spurs and moved to the new Balfour Senior Community in Longmont in December, 2020, where Dotty resided until her demise.

Dorothy was preceded in death by both parents. She is survived by several cousins and her best friend and companion of 60 years, Janice James of Longmont.

A visitation for Dorothy will be held Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Howe Mortuary, Longmont, CO. followed by a celebration of life from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the same venue in Longmont. She will then return to her birthplace to be interred alongside her parents at Greenwood Cemetery in Hamilton, Ohio. Fond memories by and for family and friends and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com.

Dotty loved animals and also supported the needs of Native American Children, and any donations in her memory may be sent to Longmont Humane Society, 9595 Nelson Rd. Longmont CO 80501 or St. Labre Indian School, PO Box 216, Ashland MT 59004-9989.

Also, deepest gratitude to TruHospice, Longmont Center, who cared for Dotty the last week of her life.