Obituary – LAURETTA MARY BOTTOMLEY
Long-time resident of Madison, Florida, Lauretta Mary Bottomley, age ninety-seven, died peacefully in her sleep on November 14, 2012 in El Cerrito, California only three weeks shy of her ninety-eighth birthday. The youngest of six, she was born on December 7, 1914 to Fred and Mary Hostetler in Calumet County, Wisconsin. She married Earl Bottomley on July 25, 1936. She made Madison her home from 1968 until 2010.
Lauretta began her formal education at age four at the Francis Scott Key School in Stockbridge, Wisconsin. Graduating the eighth grade at age ten, she began high school upstairs in the same building the following year. Education remained important to her throughout her life. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Oshkosh State Teachers College and a Masters in education from Indiana University. She worked for the WPA and later in the public school system.
She met her future husband, who was also a teacher, on the way to a dance near her family home in Wisconsin. At that time women were not allowed to teach once married so the pair eloped to Indiana and were secretly married after which they both continued to teach. When WWII began, Lauretta moved with Earl who was a civilian instructor in the Air Force, first to Washington DC, then to Bremerton, Washington, and Rantoul, Illinois. In 1945 the couple went to Stockton, California as teachers, later returning to Rantoul, Connersville, and Ellettsville in Indiana. After moving to Madison, Florida, Lauretta taught remedial reading and worked in the Learning Resources Center at North Florida Junior College, and taught in the seventh grade in public schools in Taylor and in Madison Counties. She enjoyed many civic activities in her retirement including Pine tree Quilters, working with adult literacy programs, and was active in her Sunday school group at First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing and painting, gardening, reading and playing bridge with friends.
She left Florida to be with her family in California in 2010.
She was predeceased by her husband the late T. Earl Bottomley, her daughter Mary Gorrell, and siblings Norman Hostetler, Ruby Gerhartz, Oscar Hostettler, Harry Hostettler, Olga Berg and Lucy McMillan.
She is survived by her son Tom Bottomley and wife Margaret; her son Wayne Bottomley and wife Betsy Thorne, a grandson James Bottomley and wife Anne Mason, all of California. A son-in-law, Chip Gorrell of Bellingham, Washington. A sister-in-law, Joyce and husband Leonard Tufts of North Carolina, and a sister-in-law, Agnes Bottomley, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church, in Madison, on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 3 pm.
What a feisty, magnificent lady!
Aunt Lauretta was a wonderful lady and I miss her terribly. She and Uncle Earl sponsored “BAG” each spring (the Bottomley Annual Gathering) and my mom so looked forward to that week with her baby brother. They often had 7 of the 8 siblings, spouses, and nieces and nephews there for the week, totaling 20 or more, and they LOVED it. Aunt Lauretta especially enjoyed telling the story of how she and Earll “had” to get married!.
.Both Earl and Loretta Bottomly were loved and appreciated by all who knew them. They were such wonderful assets to Madison in so many ways.
They were active in many areas giving freely of their time and other special gift-s used to benefit many- reaching all over the world.
Loretta always updated our UMW on Missionary events which she contributed time and talents to over many decades.
They will always be fondly remembered in our community! So many will continue to benefit from their contributions and loving kindnesses which touched many lives greatly.
Vicki and Colin Howerton
Ms. Lauretta was a very kind, generous woman. I have very fond memories of Earl and Lauretta from my days growing up in Madison. They were good, kind, intelligent people. They were always doing for others, serving the community and our church. I remember Earl working in his woodshop, making and repairing furniture. And Lauretta always busy with various projects. They do not come better than these two people. My family and I were blessed to call them friends. God bless her sons and family.
Lauretta was a faithful alert Christian who “walked the talk.” She was prepared for Sunday School discussions of the lesson and helped us to understand what it means to be a discipline. Both Lauretta and Earl gave to others; they made a difference in the lives of many people.
Ms. Loretta was a fine, kind woman. I was her neighbor for many years growing up. She will be missed
Terri Rykard