PAULA H. DOTSON

 
PAULA HAAS DOTSON (Age 99)  
Passed away on Sunday, November 15, 2015, in Potomac, MD. Paula is preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Robert Bruce Dotson, her daughter, Betsy Dotson of Rockville, MD, her sister, Ruth Little of Palos Verdes, CA, and her brother Armand Haas of Safety Harbor, FL. Paula was the beloved mother of Barbara Dotson Davis of Arlington, VA. She is also survived by a host of other relatives and friends. Paula was born in Mobile, AL and grew up in Montclair, NJ. In high school, she was an athlete and associate editor of the school newspaper. Paula earned her BA in English at Montclair State Teachers College, where she was staff assistant of the yearbook and managing editor of the newspaper. She worked as a teacher, writer, and editor in NJ and NY before moving to Washington, DC. Her brother, who was in military training in FL, introduced her to her future husband, Bruce. They married in 1944 and soon after he was assigned to duty in Europe. After WWII, the couple lived in several locations in the Northeast and started a family. In 1952, they moved to the Washington, DC area. Paula devoted her energy to family, community, and the family business, Bruce Variety. Paula was a lifetime member of the National Women's Democratic Club and volunteered for various political candidates. She attended Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church. Paula was a member of the local garden club and enjoyed playing bridge and socializing with friends.  Friends will be received at PUMPHREY'S BETHESDA-CHEVY CHASE FUNERAL HOME, 7557 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD, Saturday, January 9, 2016 from 12 Noon to 1 p.m., where service will be held at 1 p.m. Donations can be made to Montclair State University Foundation, 1 Normal Ave., Montclair, NJ 07043; on the memo line, note "In memory of Paula Haas Dotson." Please view and sign the family guestbook at: www.pumphreyfuneralhome.com