Dorothy Jean Nearing

“Dottie”, of Woodland Terrace, Cary, NC, loving wife for 45 years to the late John Roger Nearing, passed away ­peacefully at home in her sleep. She was born in Alabama to Edward and Betty Mae Howard, and they raised her and three siblings in Charleston, SC. As a young adult, she worked as a beautician and moved north to Hartford, CT. It was there that she met and married John, the love of her life. Together, they traveled around the US before settling in West Hartford, CT. After giving birth to a son and daughter, Dottie devoted herself to parenting and homemaking. Her family and friends knew Dottie as a very talented cook and gracious hostess, specializing in delicious homemade pies and southern fried chicken. She was particularly skilled in interior decorating, gardening, and sewing. A truly lifelong pursuit, she made clothes for herself, her daughter Debbie (and her dolls), and was even sewing in her final days. Dottie also developed a love for playing golf. An avid golfer for over 45 years, she was a long standing member of the Rockledge Golf Course Woman’s Club in West Hartford and continued to play into her late seventies. Words which were used to describe Dottie include energetic and hard-working, generous, social, a person with good common sense and a sense of humor, fun-loving, and fiercely independent. As a reflection of her Baptist faith, she was very generous with friends and family and donated to numerous charities over the years; her favorites included the Christian Children’s Fund and Operation Smile. Shortly after John’s passing in 1994, Dottie relocated to Cary, NC to be close to her daughter and grandchildren. Besides proximity to family, she gained new golf courses to master and many friends at Woodland Terrace with whom she frequently played Rummikub, card games, and bingo. First and foremost, Dottie will always be remembered for putting her family first. She was a loving wife, a proud mother and grandmother, and was especially excited at Thanksgiving to learn that her first great-grandchild is expected in 2018. Survivors include her son, Michael J Nearing of Cromwell, CT; daughter, Deborah Nearing McDaniel of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren, Jonathan R McDaniel and wife Sarah of Austin, TX, and Brenda K McDaniel of Charlotte, NC; brother, Charles Howard of Yukon, OK; and sister, Marion Brown of Canyon Lake, TX.  She was predeceased by her husband, John R Nearing; sister, Ann Howard Moretz; and son-in-law, Lieutenant Colonel Roger L. McDaniel, Jr. A memorial service will be held at Woodland Terrace, Cary, NC at 3PM Thursday December 28.  Her final resting place will be with her husband at the First Church of Christ in West Hartford, CT. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. Contributions may be made to Operation Smile, 3641 Faculty Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA  23453 or to a charity of choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.