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Dora Rutherford Obituary
Dora Bradbury (Dow) Rutherford, 96, passed away peacefully Friday, August 1, 2025. Dee was born December 21, 1928, to Augustus and Lena (Marquis) Dow, in Fort Kent, Maine. Dee was a U.S. Navy Hospital corpsman serving as a W.A.V.E. during the Korean War, when she met her future husband. Dee moved back to Fort Kent to enroll at the Fort Kent campus of the University of Maine using the GI Bill. She received her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Education degree. After retiring from teaching in 1988, Dee worked at Flanders Road Church of Christ as church secretary. During her working years, she raised her four sons. She was a member of Toledo Gold Star Wives. She was a woman of inner strength, faith and determination.
Dee was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Elsie Dow; husband, Raymond Rutherford; sons, Raymond Jr. and Randy; brothers, Henry, Drew and Ralph Dow; sister, Doris Andrews; and granddaughter, Rachel Rutherford.
Survived by sons, David and Dan (Marcia) Rutherford; 3 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Allan (Pat) Dow; and many nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service was held at Toledo Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Dee's Church, Flanders Road Church of Christ, 5230 Flanders Road, Toledo, OH 43623; or Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., PO Box 361986, Birmingham, AL 35236. Online condolences to
www.reebfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries
Mike Scholten
October 1, 2025
Dee was an absolute sweetheart who loved her job as secretary and loved being involved in people´s lives. She was a very dedicated Christian. She will be missed but Heaven is her reward! Mike Scholten
Pam (Teachout) Siler
September 3, 2025
Sad to read about the passing of this special lady. We lived across the street from Dee and her boys. David and Danny my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Madie Tillman, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Past Midwest Region Presid
August 20, 2025
Thinking of you and wishing you peace and comfort as you remember your family member and friend, Dora Rutherford. Dora was a long-time active member of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Toledo Chapter and we are grateful for the service she provided and the donations she made to our organization. May She rest in peace.
Madie Tillman,
Past Midwest Region President
Dr Thayer Salisbury
August 19, 2025
Dee was a huge help to us when we moved to Toledo the last week 2004. She was very faithful as my secretary until she retired, and continued a great friend until we moved back to Africa in 2021. But her confidence was not in herself, but in her Lord, who promised, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."
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Sandra K Wittenberg
August 17, 2025
I have been honored to know Dee for 36 years through church. We worked together on many projects and classes through the years. When she moved to Assisted Living, I started visiting her with one of my dogs, Savannah (Therapy Dog) on a regular basis. Dee and Savannah had a special connection. When we walked through the front door of the facility, Savannah would run directly to Dee's room. Only after she visited with Dee, with Dee insisting that she lay on the bed with her, would Savannah go and visit others in the common areas or in their rooms, if requested. On our last visit, Dee was very tired and said only one word ... Savannah ... as she patted the bed beside her. Savannah got up on the bed and Dee fell back to sleep with her had on Savannah's head. That is a memory that I will treasure. Dee will be greatly missed ... by both me and Savannah.
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