Rita Marie Bott

Rita "Dollie" Marie Bott, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on March 17, 2025. She was born on September 15, 1925, in Denver, Colorado, and was devoted to her family and her Catholic religion.

Dollie graduated from Denver’s East High School in 1943. She grew up in what is now the Cherry Creek area. She got her nick name because she was the youngest of five children.

She worked as a bookkeeper at the May Company and later as a receptionist at William Ainsworth and Son, where she met her future husband Walter Bott on December 7, 1945.

Dollie and Walt loved skiing and she was an expert seamstress. Both Walt and Dollie were very religious. Walt converted from Lutheran to Catholicism when he saw the deep love Dollie had for the Catholic Faith. Their faith was further demonstrated when they refused to abort their daughter, Diane, because of a difficult pregnancy and trusted in God and did not listen to her doctors. This faith was passed on to their children. She worked at GEM and later at Joslins/Dillards to help send their children to Catholic schools and college. Skiing was replaced by gardening, sewing, and helping raise grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walt in 1998 and her great grandson Brian Bott in 1999. Dollie is survived by her children, Diane Townsend (husband Max), Jim Bott, and Thomas Bott (wife Ramona): her grandchildren, Jennifer Lackey, Stephanie Duchesne, Shayna Bott, Heidi Bott, and Travis Bott; as well as her great-grandchildren, Nora Lackey, Alayna Bott-Garberich, Jacob Garberich, Cairo Bott, Lilian Duchesne, Genevieve Shaw-Mayer, Elisabeth Shaw-Mayer, Jude Bott, Aspen Bott and Delilah Bott.

For the last ten years, Jim Bott, took care of her in her home while she struggled with Alzheimer’s Disease. The family would like to thank him for his compassionate care of his mother.

Dollie’s legacy of love, faith and dedication to family will continue to inspire those who knew her and loved her and her memory will forever be cherished in the hearts of her family and friends.

Rest in Peace Dollie. You are now in the arms of Our Heavenly Father.