Joan Helen Dotson

Joan Helen (Marmaduke) Dotson, our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend to so many, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the age of 97.

Joan was born February 1, 1929 to Dr. Clement Vallandigham Marmaduke and Florence (Peach) Marmaduke. Her parents died in 1936, and she subsequently spent parts of her childhood with relatives in Pueblo and Glenwood Springs, and then at the St. Coletta's School in Wisconsin. She was also predeceased by three elder half-brothers, Clement Vallandigham Marmaduke, Jr., William Marmaduke, and Harold Marmaduke.

She married Paul Carr Dotson in 1956 and they made their home in Denver, Colorado where they raised their two sons, Bruce Edward born in 1957 and Richard Kent born in 1960. Joan and Paul were married for 45 years until his death in 2001. She remained in Denver living in the Windsor Gardens community for over thirty-five years where she made many friends and social connections.

Joan spent her 36-year career working at the May D&F Department Stores as the Payroll Manager. She retired from the May Company in 1993 and was always happy to return for annual retirement luncheons and holiday shopping trips with her granddaughters and would proudly inform all the sales associates that she was a longtime employee and retiree of the company.

After her retirement, Joan spent her time traveling and volunteering at her parish, Saint James Catholic Church in Denver. She was a member of the St. Elizabeth Secular Franciscan Third Order, a eucharistic minister and a sacristan at St. James, and frequent volunteer for church activities. She made so many wonderful friends at St. James who were near and dear to her.

Joan had many hobbies including bowling, Japanese Bunka stitching, traveling, cheering on her hometown Broncos and Rockies, and playing poker games with family and friends. She was known affectionately to all at poker as "Grandma Joan". One of her favorite activities was annual summer trips to the hot springs in Glenwood Springs. It was both a special time spent with family and a nostalgic return to the place where she spent part of her childhood.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Paul. She is survived by her two sons, Bruce Dotson (Cheryl) of Littleton, Colorado, Richard Dotson of Denver, Colorado, two granddaughters, Pamela Dotson of Littleton, Colorado and Sarah Sand (Brian) of Westminster, Colorado, and two great-granddaughters, Jillian Sand and Holly Sand, and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Julia Greeley Home: juliagreeleyhome.org, an organization close to Joan's heart.