Dorothea "Dottie" Rye's Obituary
RYE, Dorothea “Dottie” S., age 95, of Grove City, and formerly of Waynesville, passed away Sunday, February 2, 2025, at StoryPoint Senior Living Community in Grove City.
Born and raised in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, Dottie graduated from the Pottstown School of Nursing. She continued her studies at The Ohio State University, completing a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in Nursing Administration. While an undergraduate at OSU, Dottie met her husband, Chuck, on a blind date at the Blue Danube restaurant. They were married 65 years.
A working mother, Dottie was school nurse for Wayne Local Schools for several years. She went on to work at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton where she had a variety of nursing positions. When Dottie retired, she was senior vice president of hospital operations. Among her many accomplishments in her career were completing The Johnson & Johnson – Wharton Fellows Program in Management for Nurses and taking part in a hospital information exchange program in China.
She was a member of the Waynesville United Methodist Church, where she participated in several women’s leadership groups. Community-minded, Dottie was a former president of the Waynesville Progressive Women’s Club and she served on the Quaker Heights Nursing Home board of directors for several years. She volunteered for many jobs for her children’s 4-H and scouting programs.
Loving, caring, independent and intelligent, Dottie was often sharp witted in a fun way and had a great sense of humor. She was passionate about quilting and cross stitch work and belonged to several organizations supporting her hobbies including the Queen City Sampler Guild. Dottie was a huge fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes. She and Chuck enjoyed cheering on their beloved Buckeyes via season tickets for many years. Upon retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her husband. They always reminisced about trips throughout the United States and Europe. She also enjoyed spending time in Myrtle Beach, where they owned a home for many years. Family will always remember how special Dottie made the Rye family Christmas holiday when she hosted.
Dottie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles L. Rye, in 2019, and her parents, Robert and Mary Shisler. She is survived by one daughter, Judith (Dru) Gilliland; one son, Robert (Jamie) Rye; two grandchildren, Charlene (Brandon) Snider and Madeline Rye; and one great-grandchild, Chloe Ann Snider.
A private graveside service at Miami Cemetery in Corwin will be held at a later date. Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Miami Valley Chapter, 31 W. Whipp Rd., Dayton, OH 45459. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothea?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothea?
Share a story where Dorothea's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothea you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothea make you smile?