Dorothy B. Donnelly's Obituary
DONNELLY, DOROTHY ‘DOTTIE’ Passed away peacefully on June 17, 2008, at the age of 96. She was born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of then Captain Percy and Grace Bishop. During her early years Dottie accompanied her parents to her father’s various Army assignments, Fort Totten, NY; Washington, D.C.; and to Corregidor, Philippines, where she went to a one room school that contained eight grades, but also had private lessons in French from a Belgian priest, and learned to play golf and swim. Back to the States to the Presidio, San Francisco, where she attended her first and only public school, and then to Washington, D.C., where she again attended Holton Arms School and learned to do the Charleston in dancing school. She accompanied her parents to Hawaii, a place she adored along with her private school, Punahou, from which she graduated high school in 1929. Returning to the States, and while her father was assigned to the Boston area, she was sent off to the French School for Girls in New York City where she was introduced to the theater, music, museums, and culture in general. Next she and her family were at Fort Monroe, VA, where she became a blue ribbon champion in riding, jumping, and showing horses, and learned to play bridge. Her life became more wonderful when she met her life’s love, a second lieutenant named Harold ‘Sam’ Donnelly, fresh out of West Point. After dating for four months they eloped and then at her family’s insistence had a formal wedding. Dottie and Sam began their married life at Fort Monroe but soon were sent to Panama where they stayed for two years and were blessed with two daughters, Peggy and Judy. After Panama they were in the Philippines until the family left in 1938. The onset of World War II found the Donnellys in California at several Army posts until Sam left for the China Burma India Theater for 26 months. During this time Dottie and her two daughters stayed in New York and Maine, and were in Virginia when he returned. When Sam transferred to the new Air Force they had stations in Alabama; Washington, D.C.; Paris, France; New Mexico; and again to Washington, D.C.. During these years they had many enjoyable experiences, receptions and dining at the White House, meeting royalty, statesmen, VIP’S, traveling and making foreign friends. When Sam retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant general they returned to Albuquerque, NM, where Dottie was a member of the Albuquerque Symphony Board, volunteered for many years at the Presbyterian Hospital, and was an emeritus member of the Tuesday Literary Club, the oldest book club in Albuquerque. Dottie and Sam enjoyed international traveling to Europe, Asia, Africa, and islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. Shortly after Sam died in 2002, Dottie accompanied her daughter, Peggy, and her husband, Pete, to live with them in Dallas, TX. In Dallas she enjoyed exercising at the Finley Ewing Cardiovascular Center, visiting museums and the Arboretum, and dining in the many restaurants. Dottie is survived by two daughters, Peggy, wife of Colonel Peter J. Hino, Dallas, TX, and Judy , wife of Colonel Warren A. Samouce, Austin, TX, four grandchildren, Dr. Peter D. Hino, Dallas, TX, Michael Samouce and Kimberly Mineo, Austin, TX, Robert Samouce, Naples, FL, and nine great-grandchildren. The family would like to offer heartfelt thanks to the staff at Walnut Place and Vista Care Hospice. The family also suggests that any memorial contributions in her name be made to the Vista Care Hospice, 7557 Rambler Road, Suite 112, Dallas, TX 75231, or to a charity of choice. Following a service at the Fort Myer Chapel, Dottie will be buried with her husband and near the graves of her parents, Major General and Mrs. Percy Poe Bishop in Arlington National Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?