White, Dorothy 'Dot'

Dorothy “Dot” White, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died Feb. 23, 2012. Mrs. White was cremated and services were held for her March 17, 2012, at St. Paul's Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids. The Rev. Lloyd E Brockmeyer officiated. Mrs. White's cremains are entombed at St. Paul's Methodist Church.

Survivors include her grandson, Ian Robert White, of La Crosse, Wis.; sister, Margaret Ann Plock Fosler of Rockford, Ill.; nephews, August W. Plock of Austin, Texas, and Daniel Fosler of Rockford, Ill.; grandnephew, William August Plock of Austin, Texas; and daughter-in-law, Lea Pierce of Santa Rosa, Calif.

Mrs. White was preceded in death by her daughter, Wendy Ann White, Santa Rosa, Calif., Jan. 24, 2012; her husband, Robert Dean Metcalf in 2004; her brother, William August Plock in 2002; her mother, Sylvia Willey Plock in 1981; and her father, August William Plock in 1963.

Dorothy Jane Plock White was born on Nov. 7, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of August William Plock and Sylvia Willey Plock. Her first marriage to Robert (Bob) White, produced one child, Wendy Ann White (aka De-Anna Alba, author of “Cauldron of Change: Myths, Mysteries and Majick of the Goddess,” New Delhi Press, 1993) and ended in divorce in 1978. Dot was reunited with her college sweetheart, Robert “Dean” Metcalf at a Coe College reunion. They married in 1990 and enjoyed an active retirement filled with travel to the Panama Canal, China, Hawaii and many other world destinations.

In addition to travel, Dot and her husband Dean Metcalf were devoted members of St. Paul's Methodist Church. Dot served on the Social Action Committee, the United Methodist Women's committee, Ruth Circle, Family Fellowship Adult Sunday school Class, the Sanctuary Renovation committee, the History Committee, Early Childhood Board and the Memorial Committee.

Dot was an early trailblazer for women in politics, winning election to serve as mayor of the City of Delafield, Wis., from 1974 to 1978. Other governmental activities included serving on Cedar Rapids' North East Quadrant Planning Committee in 1990.

A graduate and staunch supporter of Coe College, Dot earned her B.A. in Communication and also completed post graduate work at the University of Wisconsin Extension. Academic honors included the National Honor Society and Pi Kappa Delta.

A passionate, lifelong supporter of higher education, Dot was an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) until advancing age made it impossible for her to participate. Over the years, she served in many positions in the Cedar Rapids chapter of AAUW. She was also active in the Cedar Rapids College Club, Women's Equality Day Committee, Coe College Heritage Club, Friends of Coe College, Friends of Coe Stars and Caring Friends at Cottage Grove Place, where she and husband Dean Metcalf were among its first residents when it opened in the late 1990s.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dot's name may be made to Coe College, the American Association of University Women (Cedar Rapids Chapters), or St. Paul's Methodist Church Building Fund.

Condolences may be sent to Ian White, 1923 Miller St., Apt 150, LaCrosse, WI 54601.

Published in The Gazette March 20, 2012.