Dorothy Alice Bandfield

Dorothy Alice Rowe Bandfield, known to most as Dot or Dottie, was called home to join her loving husband Burnell Emery Ray Bandfield on July 7, 2024. Born on April 19, 1924, she had celebrated her 100 th birthday a short time before. She survived two prior falls but gravity finally got the best of her in her apartment during the night of Sunday June 30 and she passed a week later.

Dot cherished her family and the time spent with them. She was born as the baby of the family in Omaha, Nebraska to Frank and Sara Marticke Rowe. Her daughters Cathy Dee Cox (Cliff) and Terri Rae Melian (Ralph) remember fond times there with her brothers Melvin and Harold, their wives Margaret and Evelyn and cousins Jim, Jerry, Roger, Tom and Dick. Dot was very devoted to her sister Jeanette Ilene Roof who died at 101 years in Blair, Nebraska in 2022. She also loved to hear about Cathy’s children Daniel and Melanie, and of course Melanie’s son, Emery John Abshire, Dot’s only great-grandchild.

Burnell was a career Navy man, so as a Navy wife, she experienced many moves around the United States. They lived in Illinois, Michigan (where Terri was born), California (where Cathy was born), and Hawaii. After Burnell retired, they lived in Omaha, New Orleans, Pensacola and Ponchatoula.

Over the years Dot made many friends who were also like family. This included the whole Melian family, especially Rafael and Miriam. In earlier times, Omaha BFF’s Betty Berg and Billie Bernhardt and Navy friends Bob “Scotty” and Myra Scott made up her friend-family.

Dot moved to Christwood Retirement Community in 2014, soon after Burnell’s death. Living there she enjoyed the company of many new people, including Christwood staff members Victoria and Judy, neighbors Lena, Leila, Michael, Margaret, Phil, Phyllis, Pat, Helen, Milton, Cynthia, Tom, Marilyn, and next-door neighbors Paul, Marion and Sally.

As her time at Christwood grew longer, she entered a new phase of friendship. Christwood’s earthly angels Kim, Tiffney and Ester, and her other companions took care of her personal needs, engaged her in conversation, watched sports with her and brightened her days. Her family will be forever grateful for their loving care.

A celebration of life will be held at Christwood on September 21 from 2:30 – 3:30. Donations in Dot’s memory can be made to a charity of your choice or The Christwood Employee Holiday Fund. Christwood Retirement community is located at 100 Christwood Blvd in Covington, LA.