Rosemarie Doty's Obituary
A TRIBUTE TO MY MOM: ROSEMARIE F. DOTY
My mom, my hero, lost her battle and passed away on 10/21/13. There are no words to describe the loss I feel at the realization that she will never walk this earth again. My sorrow is not that she lived too short a life, because she was blessed with 81 years, but that we lost one of the truly great people. My mom taught me and so many others so much. Mom — Rosemarie F. Doty — always taught by example. Through her decades of service as a social worker (retired from Hennepin County child protection services and adult mental health services in Minneapolis, MN), she taught me that every person has value, that we have a choice to take the right path, that what’s on the inside is more important than what’s on the outside, that music adds beauty to life, that encouragement and support are some of the greatest gifts you can give another, that we should surround ourselves with things that make us happy, and that listening is more important than speaking. My mom exemplified many good qualities: patience, generosity, forbearance, hard work, and intelligence. At the same time, she would be quick to say, “Nobody’s perfect.” She loved the beauty of the wilderness, especially the Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA) in northern MN. From young adulthood to her sunset years, she enjoyed many trips to the BWCA to canoe, camp, and hike. In addition, she enjoyed countless hours playing golf every summer, soaking up the sun and enjoying the fresh air. She was also an avid reader. Born on 10/18/32, from Alfred B. Larson and Dorothy M. (Hannibal) Larson, Rosemarie was the youngest of four children. She grew up on a farm in rural MN working the fields at a young age, yet also learned to play the piano at a young age. She graduated from Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) with a B.A. in piano performance at the top of her class, summa cum laude. Living at a time when women were not “meant” to receive higher education or pursue careers, Rosemarie continued on to graduate school and completed a Master’s degree in social work (MSW) from the University of MN, again at the top of her class. While managing a career, my mom always put family first. Rosemarie married David J. Doty on 7/1/66; they were married and inseparable for 47 years, until her passing. They raised two beloved children: son Steven D. Doty — married to Sandra L. (Smith) Doty — and daughter Stephanie M. (Doty) Lattery — married to Mark J. Lattery. Rosemarie had three grandchildren who were all her pride and joy: Gabrielle Lattery, Grant Lattery, and Matthew Doty. In addition, she is survived by a brother who was her childhood hero, Floyd Larson — married to Marge Larson — as well as survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, and friends, including dearest friend Mary Ann Willner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Gerald Larson, and her sister Clare (Larson) Alvarez. She often served her church as volunteer choir director, pianist, and organist. Her middle name was Faith; and faith in a loving God is a part of the legacy that my mom leaves behind. She taught me to have faith at all times, through all things. If I live to realize only a fraction of her impact, then I will have lived a good life indeed. You will be very missed. Rosemarie F. Doty. 10/18/32 – 10/21/13. The wake will be 10 am and memorial mass at 11 am on Saturday, 10/26/27 at: St. Raphael Church 830 S. Westhaven Drive Oshkosh, WI 54904 In lieu of flowers or gifts, please send any donations to Food for the Poor through www.foodforthepoor.org/rosemariedoty
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