Dorothy Chandler "Dotty" Barclift
October 29, 1926 ~ May 5, 2016
Dorothy “Dotty” Chandler Barclift, 89, of California, MD passed away on May 5, 2016, at the Hospice House in Callaway, MD. She was the daughter of the late Mary Theresa Russell Wilkinson and John Francis Wilkinson. Dotty was the loving wife of the Henry Moody Chandler and Carlton Turner Barclift who both preceded her in death. Dotty is survived by her children Randy Chandler and Denise King and her step children; Carole Ann Purcell and Curtis Barclift.
Dotty worked for over thirty years as a civil servant, starting in the typing pool in the Supply Department. She was a strong woman working in a man’s world and fought hard for women in the workplace. She helped many women go for that “better job” and was proud of her accomplishments.
Throughout her life, Dotty served St. Mary’s County. She believed in solving problems in the community and joined many organizations and clubs to accomplish this. She worked tirelessly with her beloved Business and Professional Women’s Club, BPW. She was a member of the Lioness Club, Past President of the Hollywood VFD Ladies Auxiliary, Narfe, Friends of Margaret Brent, and the St. Mary’s County Commission for Women, who gave her the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2011.
Her later years were spent at the Wildewood Retirement Community where she served on the activities committee until her health prohibited her involvement. Dotty loved her church and family, she knew how to work hard and she enjoyed life, a lesson that she leaves behind with her friends and family.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 PM with prayers at 7:00 PM in the Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home Leonardtown, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 10:00 AM in St. John’s Catholic Church Hollywood, MD with Father Ray Schmidt officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Chris King, Russell Sullivan, Joe Vankirk, Joe Joseph, Curtis Barclift, and Tony Wilkinson.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s.
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I send my sincere condolences to the Barclift family and friends. Ms. Barclift was a good friend of my grandmother’s Ms. Ola Council. I recall going to Ms. Barclift’s home for many luncheons with my grandmother. The two of them would talk and talk – great memories. Treasure the wonderful memories. Todd
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts your way.
I am so sorry for you loss, Denise. Mothers are very special people in our lives; it is difficult to say goodbye even when they are suffering so much. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Good bless!
Dotty was such a light in my life, a wonderful mentor. I would not have followed the path I did if not for Dotty Barclift. Her wicked sense of humor tempered her no nonsense approach to ensuring all we women in her circle of life achieved all that she thought we should while supporting all women in our community and beyond. I’m sorry I read about her passing too late to pay my respects in person.
Denise & Randy, I’ll miss those pitch games Dotty & Jane & Evelyn and Dee played over the past 5 years. She always said, “it doesn’t matter if I win, I just like to play”, but she was as serious about winning as she could be. We always enjoyed her competitive nature. You two took such good care of her and I so admire you for that. My most heart felt thoughts & prayers are with you.
Denise and Randy, thinking of you and your entire family and keeping you all in my prayers. Dotty was one of the strongest ladies that I’ve ever met. She was my boss in the early 70’s when I started my career at PaxRiver. She supported me in so many ways and taught me the importance of good work ethics. She was a mentor to me and to so many others. I will always remember her kindness to me and the friendship we continued through the years. She will forever be remembered. RIP, Dotty!