THOMPSON, CT – Dorthea Rasneor Belt, 90, of Thompson and of Nicholls, GA, died Friday, December 3, 2010, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Her husband of 59 years, Dr. Warner Duane Belt, died in 2009.
She leaves her children: Judith Belt Dedinsky and her husband Joseph Dedinsky of Chelmsford, MA, Stephen Warner Belt and his wife Pauline Ward Belt of Cortland, NY, and Barbara Belt and her husband Jim Bonnette of Thompson; a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Morgan Belt of Nicholls, GA; her beloved grandchildren, Jason Belt, Jennifer Andrews, Joshua Belt, James Bonnette, Matthew Dedinsky and Caleb Belt; her cherished great grandchildren, Austin Andrews, Natasha Belt, Alexis Andrews and Julian Belt; a brother-in-law, Warner Wilson of Springfield, OH; a dear family friend, Mandi Zdanis of Plainfield, CT; and a cherished friend, B Claire Hill of Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her son David Duane Belt of Nicholls, GA and by her sister Mildred Rasneor Wilson of Springfield, OH.
She was born and raised in Springfield, OH, daughter of Oscar and Nora A. (Duellmann) Rasneor. She graduated from Springfield (OH) High School and the Springfield City Hospital School of Nursing. She studied operating room technique and supervision at Yale School of Nursing in New Haven. After World War II, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Science from Ohio State University and completed graduate work in anatomy and anesthesiology.
She was a United States Army veteran of World War II, serving as an operating room nurse in France, Belgium and Germany. She separated from the service with the rank of Captain.
Dotty was a Registered Nurse and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and was employed most recently by the University Hospital Medical College in Richmond, VA, by Symmes Hospital in Arlington, MA and by Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. She retired in 1975.
Dotty was active in the Girl Scouts of America as a youth and as an adult leader; she was an artist and enjoyed painting during her working years. In her retirement, she enjoyed horses and trail riding and belonged to the Littleton Horse Owner’s Association, the New England Horse and Trail Association, and the Cross State Trail Ride. She was a skilled silversmith and jewelry designer and was a past member of the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society. She enjoyed water sports, downhill skiing, gardening, world travel and digital photography.
Dotty will be dearly missed by all who knew her. She had a vibrant zest for life, a courageous and adventurous spirit, and a deep love of her family.
No funeral services are planned. Donations may be made to any veteran organization in her memory. Scanlon Funeral Service, 38 East Main Street, Webster, MA is directing the arrangements.