Dorothy Parsons
Dorothy Jane Parsons, 87, of Bettendorf, died Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, at Jersey Ridge Place in Davenport.
Funeral services celebrating her life were held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf. Burial was at Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation was from 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Pleasant Valley School Foundation.
Born on Sept. 17, 1930, in Charlotte, Iowa, Dorothy was the daughter of Lester Arthur and Olga Marie (Ries) Winey. On Dec. 27, 1952, in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Dorothy married Merrit Dean Parsons. He preceded her in death.
Dorothy worked as a schoolteacher following her graduation from Iowa State Teachers College. When Merrit and Dorothy started their family, Dorothy remained home to care for their children, and used her training as a teacher to serve the educational needs of homebound children. Dorothy was community minded and a willing volunteer, with service as a councilwoman for the City of Bettendorf, and as a member of the Scott County Board of Health. She was a member of P.E.O Chapter G.W. and a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, where she was active in the bell choir. Dorothy enjoyed gardening, reading, crossword puzzles, politics, and her kitties. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, especially enjoying Hawkeye football. Dorothy cherished her time spent with her grandchildren.
Those left to honor her memory include her daughters, Connie (Richard) Horst of Port Byron, Ill., and Lori (Earl) McNamara of Zumbrota, Minn.; grandchildren, Sarah (Lynn) Pritchard, Jim (Meghan) Purcell, Katie (Steve) Luchtel, Monica (Andrew) Hedrick, Ryne (Laura) McNamara and Maggie (Duy) Huynh; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband, Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; son, Dean Parsons; three brothers and four sisters.
Dorothy’s family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and nurses at Jersey Ridge Place and Hospice Compassus for their care and compassion.
Condolences may be made to Dorothy’s family by viewing her obituary at www.mcginnis-chambers.com.
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