Dorothy Ann “Dot” Seeley (born Bladen)
Personal
Gender: Female
Date of Birth: March 27, 1927
Date of Death: February 19, 2019
Birth Place: Washington, DC
Death Place: Northfield, MN
Dorothy Ann “Dot” Seeley
Dorothy Ann “Dot” Seeley (Bladen), age 91, passed away Tuesday, February 19, 2019, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle against heart failure.
Wife, mom, grandma, teacher, gardener, cook, baker, seamstress. Dot was born in Washington, DC on March 27, 1927, to Rosier and Catherine Claire (Burke) Bladen. She was raised in Tenleytown, Washington, DC and Green Acres, MD, graduating from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School in 1945. She attended Towson University and earned a degree in elementary education. She taught first grade for three years in Montgomery and Howard County, later substitute taught, and volunteered her time to teach elementary students about seeds and plants through Master Gardeners.
She was united in marriage to James Henry Seeley, Jr. on November 22, 1950, at Elbrooke Methodist Church in Washington, DC. They had 4 children, Charlie, Eileen, Kim, and Ginger. In 1953, the couple moved to New Mexico and then back to Baltimore, before moving to Denver, CO. In 1966, they moved to Duluth, and then to Northfield in 1968. Dot and Jim made their home on Kendall Avenue, with a huge garden for all the neighbors to enjoy.
She later became a full-time grandma to Jennifer, Chris, Chad, Sarah Joy, Derek, Kelly, Jessica, Heather, Brianna, James, and Makayla. Her grandchildren share fond memories of summers, Christmases, holidays, birthdays, and family vacations. She was her grandchildren’s number one fan supporting and encouraging them in all of their endeavors.
Her hobbies included garden club and Master Gardeners. She served as president of the Northfield Garden Club, president of the 1st District MN Horticulture Society, and vice president of the Minnesota Horticulture Society. She was an avid reader and belonged to The Contemporary Women Writers Book Club. She enjoyed sewing, often making clothes for her grandchildren and bridesmaids dresses. She was a fantastic cook and baker known for her elaborate birthday and wedding cakes. She was also a devoted fur mom to many cats and dogs.
Dot is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Jim Seeley; children Charlie Seeley, Eileen Seeley (Marvin Korbel), Kim (David) Haars, and Ginger (David) Killen; her grandchildren Jennifer (Al) Chalmers, Christopher Haars, Chad (Michelle) Seeley, Derek (Melissa) Haars, Jessica Wiles (Scott Rimbey), Heather Haars, Brianna Seeley, James Seeley, Makayla Seeley Korbel, Kelly (Luke) Gordon, Sarah Joy (Benjamin) Fedje; and her great-grandchildren Zachary, Caleb, Devon, Carter, Samuel, Caitlin, Bryson, Michael, Mariah, Mason, Rowan, Madison, Austin, Alex, Olivia, Alani, Benjamin, and River. Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Rosier Bladen and Claire and Charlie “Pop” Ackerman, brother Allen Bladen, sister Mildred Franklin, daughter-in-law Diane Seeley, and beloved nephew Dusty.
A private family service was held.
Published online by Benson & Langehough Funeral Home
