Dorothy Kay Strickland

Dorothy Kay Strickland, in her 80th year, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 20, 2024. Born on December 5, 1944, in Monroe, Wisconsin, she was the third of seven children of Bernard and Ella Staley.

Dotty, as she was known by those close to her, was a proud Navy wife to Thomas for nearly fifty years prior to his passing. His military career took them to Virginia, Guam and Maryland. Upon his retirement, they moved to Palmetto in 1979. She worked alongside her husband in a freelance photography business for a number of years. Together, they enjoyed raising their three children, camping/RV traveling, and their many dogs, who always ended up overweight. They frequently visited the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina during the fall.

Dotty reflected Christ’s love through her servant's heart at an early age. As a young girl when family situations demanded, she gave up a full scholarship to nursing school to assume the responsibility of caring for her four younger siblings. In high school, she was a member of Future Nurses of America. After raising her family, she fulfilled her childhood dream by becoming a registered nurse. She graduated top of her class from Manatee Junior College in 1983 and later received her BSN from the University of South Florida. She worked as an intensive care nurse and an administrator at House Calls Home Health agency. Her house was known as “home” to many.

Dotty was extremely smart, creative and crafty. At a young age she began sewing her own clothing and then later matching outfits for her children. She would often design and sew bags to hold cameras or unique tarps and canopies to make their camping trips more enjoyable. She loved teaching the art of sewing to her granddaughters. She made the best playdough, enjoyed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her home displays a number of beautiful cross-stitch pieces she created over the years. She proudly designed macrame plant hangers to sell in her granddaughter’s local plant shop. Her endless knowledge earned her the title of Gigi or Grandma Google from her grand and great-grandchildren. There was nothing that she did not know, in fact, she was smarter than Google.

Dotty has been a devout member of Holy Cross Catholic Church since 1979. She passionately shared her faith and supported others through her work with RCIA/OCIA. She was a member of the Legion of Mary. Through her church, she participated in pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Israel, Fatima and Spain.

Dorothy is survived by her sons Tim and Charlie (Rachael) and her daughter Jody Nader (Tom), her seven grandchildren Ashley Cochol (John), Michael Nader (Anna), Libby Bolles (Josh), Tristan Strickland, Kaiya Strickland, Jeremy Strickland and Breanna Strickland, five great-grandchildren Liam and Daphne Nader, Brett Cochol, Kennedy and Autumn Bolles, and four siblings Ben Staley (Dorrie), Corrine Kane (Jim), Paul Staley (Darline) and Barbara Timms (Lindell) and many nieces, nephews and close friends.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 28, 2024, from 5-8 pm at Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park in Ellenton. The rosary will be said Wednesday, October 29th at 10:30 am with funeral mass to follow at 11:00 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Palmetto. Committal will be at a later date at Sarasota National Cemetery.