Doris "Dot" Florence Julia Blackburn

Doris “Dot” Florence Julia (Pearse) Blackburn, age 97, died peacefully on May 17, 2023. She was a long-time resident of West Carrollton but spent her last weeks in her “apartment” at Stoney Ridge Senior Living in Washington Township surrounded by family and friends.

Dot led a wonderfully simple yet rich life, one that taught her family that every little thing is important. She had a storied history, a simple lifestyle, and a routine you could set your clock to.

She was born in London, England, on October 2, 1925, to Harry and Julia (Furneaux) Pearse. She grew up in Harlesden, living in a war-stressed time that left a marked impact on her. At a dance at Gayton Hall in 1945, she met Harry Blackburn, an American soldier from Miamisburg, Ohio. They were married June 10, 1945, in Willesden. Shortly after their wedding, her groom returned home to Miamisburg, and she followed him in March of 1946. Her war-bride voyage took her across the ocean to New York on the Queen Mary ocean liner. From New York, she rode a train to Dayton, where she bravely faced a new life in a foreign land with the man she loved.

Harry and Dot lived together with his parents, siblings, and grandparents in Miamisburg until they built their own home in 1949, where she raised her children and lived the remainder of her life.

In addition to being a mother and housewife, she worked as a bookkeeper in the King Cole restaurant in downtown Dayton. She was also a cashier in the lunchrooms of the West Carrollton School district, serving at Walter Shade and Harry Russell schools until her retirement in 1987.

She was proceeded in death by her beloved husband, Harry W. Blackburn Jr. in 2003, as well as her parents, Julia and Harry, her dear siblings Kit, Harry, and Gladys and their spouses, and many Blackburn brothers- and sisters-in-law.

She is survived by her children, David (Rita) Blackburn of Waynesville, OH and Gay (Bill) Van Loozen of Chandler, OK. She absolutely adored her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, who all survive her as well. She was blessed with Mike Blackburn of Carlisle, OH, Bobby (Keri) Blackburn of Springboro, OH, Julia (Leon) Cantrell of Gainsville, TX, Brent (Stacey) Van Loozen of Ardmore, OK, and Amber (Kyle) Jackson of Chandler, OK. These grandchildren blessed her life with Ian (Suzie) Van Loozen, Zoey (Jacob) Turner, Benjamin and Nathaniel Blackburn, and Aubree, Kase, Konnor, and Avery Jackson. Her legacy continues with great-great-grandchildren - Zoey’s children Lily and Cowen, Ian’s sons Daniel and Jack, plus one more on the way and more to surely come in the long line of her special family.

She is also survived by her loving sister-in-law and dearest friend, Jean (Jeanie) Blackburn, her sister-in-law Beverly Von Blon, and her special niece Sandi (Stuart) Postle of Centerville, OH as well as many nieces and nephews, both in the US and England. She so appreciated the connection to her beloved homeland that her family in England provided for her with their gifts of chocolate, cards, letters, and phone calls.

The family wishes to thank and acknowledge the many friends who showed such love and friendship to Dot in her final months. This includes her neighbors from West Circle Drive, her friends at Memorial United Methodist Church in West Carrollton, and the staffs at Sycamore Hospital, Bethany Rehab, Stoney Ridge Senior Living, and Affinity Hospice. A special shout out to Lisa, Jill, and Pastor Anthony (“Pastor Pasta”) who were particularly loving to Dot and the family in her final days.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10:30 AM – 12 PM on Monday, May 22, 2023 at GEBHART-SCHMIDT-PARRAMORE Funeral Home, Miamisburg. Funeral services will follow at 12 PM. Burial will take place at Hillgrove Cemetery, Miamisburg. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.gebhartschmidtparramore.com