Dorothy Wilson (“Dottie” or “Dot” – depending on who you are, “Mom” to us), 91, of Lenexa, KS passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at Maggie’s Place Overland Park, KS. Services will be held on Monday, March 31 at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, KS with the burial in the Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. Viewing will begin at 1:30 PM with the Service starting at 2:00 PM.
Dot was born on August 11, 1933 in Great Barasway, Newfoundland the daughter of Jeremiah and Laura O’Keefe. Being a good Irish Catholic family with an abundance of Newfie Screech, Dot had 15 brothers and sisters. In 1952, Dot accepted an invitation from Col. Robert Holcomb (USAF) and his wife Edith to head south to Loring AFB near Limestone, Maine where she soon met her future husband of 52 years, Herb Wilson – a Kansas boy. Later, Herb worked for Trans World Airlines affording them the opportunity to travel the world. Throughout their marriage Dot and Herb made their way through the United States living in Iowa three different times, Florida twice, Texas once, and Kansas three times where they finally settled in 1988. No, they were not vagabonds - job transfers or new job opportunities led them to their new home. Along the way, Dot became the mother of a daughter and two sons AND a few dogs throughout her time.
For the first half of her marriage, Dot was a homemaker keeping a spotless home, shuttling kids to school and picking them up – never mind all sorts of different practices and events, and making sure everyone in the family was fed with home cooked meals. Eventually Dot found her way to work at a Country Club, a clothing store, a Hallmark store, volunteered at a hospital, and ultimately landed at the Shawnee Mission School District – two different stints – in Food Services. Yes, Dot was a LUNCH LADY for YEARS…not just any lunch lady, she worked most of her time in the elementary schools and was the one that a fair number of kids would come out of line to give a hug to, or to give her a crayon colored picture which she was proud to bring home and show off to her family! Fun fact about Dot and her tenure as a lunch lady, ultimately she decided to work part time as a substitute when it was time to slow down, but she ended up doing that until she was 81.
Above all, here’s what you need to know about Dot: Fiercely loyal to her family and friends; Boundless energy – she never sat and relaxed; She was a helluva fantastic cook and baker; She was a woman of faith; She never took herself too seriously – happy to be the target of a joke; She would do anything for her kids, then her grandkids including walking in the rain to get Baskin Robbins, watching cartoons and movies with them while feeding them waffles and CAPPUCCINO, and having dance parties; She’d melt your heart with those piercing blue eyes and wide smile; She was quick to give a hug or carry on a conversation with a stranger; While not much of a drinker, she’d shoot Ouzo at her favorite Greek restaurant, drink a green beer on St. Patrick’s Day with her “of age” granddaughter, or have a little too much wine at her 80th birthday dinner or son’s work Christmas party; At her full height of 5’4” and 115 lbs. she was a force to be reckoned with even making her adult children stand at attention if she needed to raise her voice; Everyone was “sweetheart”, “honey”, or “baby”; She was literally the strongest person any of us knew; She always said “I Love You”; She will be forever missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and many of her brothers and sisters. Dot is survived by her daughter Debbie Brannon, son Greg (Debbie), son Mark (Colette); Seven grandchildren Shay, Randy, Jillian, Erica, Sarah, Jordan, and Alex; Two great-grandchildren Brooks and Caden; Sisters Norah, Rosemary, Madonna, and Ruth, along with many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Alzheimer’s Association at:
https://donorservices.alz.org/page/FUNTTMPHCMC?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_bing_SL&msclkid=d5ec0fc1e3ef114e41ff6827f654b168