Dorothy B. Rhodes

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 18, 1921, she was the daughter of Beryl R Doll Baxter and Richard A Reed. In 1939 she graduated from Abington High School where she was on the honor roll and served on the student council.

After earning Abington High School's bookkeeping award, she was recruited to work for the local coal and fuel oil company, managing their books.

She married Russell Earl Rhodes on Aug 18, 1943 at St Peter’s Episcopal Church in Glenside, Pennsylvania where he was a longtime member.

In 1964 the Rhodes family moved from Pennsylvania to Norwich, Connecticut where they became members of Christ Episcopal Church. When her children were older, she was recruited as a bookkeeper at the Norwich Chamber of Commerce after volunteering there stuffing envelopes with other women from the church.

After her husband retired in 1976, they co-founded The Corner Cupboard in the Norwichtown Mall. They owned and operated the store until fully retiring in 1988. In retirement she continued to be a faithful member at Christ Episcopal Church where she served as treasurer for over 25 years.

Dot, who was fondly known as Nana, enjoyed traveling abroad and collecting angels. Her favorite thing was spending time with her family playing board games, jigsaw puzzles, cards and shopping. She was an avid reader and enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, cryptograms and other word puzzles. Dot also belonged to several bridge clubs. When asked what her secret to living so long was, she jokingly would reply, “Eating dark chocolate and ice cream everyday.”

She is survived by her two children Richard Rhodes and wife Mary and Sheila Maudsley; her five grandchildren Stacey Smith, Steven Maudsley and wife Jennifer, Elizabeth Rhodes and husband Matthew, Russell Rhodes and wife Joy and Edwin Rhodes and wife Eleanor; her three great-grandchildren Nicole and Amber Smith, and Phoebe Rhodes; and her twin great-great-grandchildren Kobe and Kaleb Smith-Collins.

Her unwavering devotion to family and generosity of spirit will be greatly missed.

A Memorial service to celebrate her life will be Saturday May 9, 2026 11:am in the Grace Episcopal Church 4 Chapel Hill Road, Yantic Ct. A Celebration of Life will follow the service.