Dorothy Martha Sumlin, 93
Dorothy Martha Sumlin of Fleming Island, Florida passed away peacefully on the morning of December 16th, 2016. She was born on July 11th, 1923 in Collier’s Mills, New Jersey, to Latvian-born parents, Henry E. Schenker and Natalie Harmonson Schenker. Dorothy grew up the youngest of nine children. It was in NJ, that Dorothy met her husband of 53 years, Daniel Foster Sumlin, Jr. while he was undergoing parachute rigger training with the US Marine Corps at nearby Lakehurst Naval Air Station. They married on April 7th, 1943 before he was sent overseas during WWII. Dan returned two years later & it was then he met their daughter, Donna, for the first time. Due to the scarcity of jobs in NJ after the war, the young family moved to Houston, Texas. It was in Houston at the age of 7 & a year before the availability of the polio vaccine, their daughter Donna contracted the polio virus and became a quadriplegic. Dorothy continuously devoted herself to empowering Donna to achieve her goals & lead a fulfilled life. Through hands-on involvement, encouragement and support, she assisted Donna in completing a bachelor’s, masters and doctorate degree. She also worked alongside Donna in the many jobs she held. She remained Donna’s primary caregiver until Donna’s death at the age of 61. Dorothy also had a second daughter, Robin, who would lend her support and encouragement after Donna’s death.
A woman known throughout her life for a sense of fashion and style, Dorothy also loved the beach & pool, participated in water aerobics until age 90 and liked to cook healthy meals. She was a loving grandmother to her two grandsons, Colin and Blake. She was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Sumlin and eldest daughter, Donna Sumlin, and is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Robert Cowing, and her grandsons and their wives, Colin and Joanna Cowing, and Blake and Sydney Cowing.
The Cowing family is forever grateful to the people who came into their lives when Dorothy began to decline and experience symptoms of neurocognitive impairment. Your kindness will never be forgotten. The journey of the last three years was difficult but made easier by your love & support. A special thanks to Community Hospice of North East Florida and the staff of the Arbor Terrace of Ortega.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 8, 2017 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon at the Pace Island Clubhouse, 1545 Royal Fern Lane, Fleming Island, FL 32003. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dorothy’s name to Community Hospice of NE Florida www.CommunityHospice.com
Arrangements are under the care of Russell Haven of Rest Cemetery, Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 2335 Sandridge Road, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. Family and friends may share their condolences at: www.RHRFH.com 904-284-7720