Tributes

Dorothy Iacoponelli Cole (September 6, 1931 - October 30, 2014) Dorothy "Dottie" Cole, 83, of Mooresville, went to live with the Lord on October 30, 2014 while in the loving arms of her children and attended by her friends from Carillon Assisted Living of Mooresville. Ms. Cole, known to her friends as "Dottie" was born in Denver Colorado on September 6, 1931 to Mr. and Mrs. John Iacoponelli. She was raised in both Colorado Springs and Denver, Colorado and in her youth she was a competitive equestrian and accomplished pianist. One of her highlights as an equestrian was placing in Team Class at the National Western Horse Show in Denver, Colorado. Dottie was a proud graduate of Denver’s Smiley Junior High School and East High School in 1949. Dottie received her college education first at Monticello Junior College located in Godfrey, Illinois. Next, she studied oil painting and sculpture at the University of Wyoming and finally she completed her Creative Art studies at the University of Colorado, in Boulder receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1954. She pledged the Chi Omega sorority at the University of Wyoming’s Psi Delta chapter in Fall 51 and was a passionate Chi Omega alumnus for her entire life. She stayed very active in PanHellenic activities serving most notably as President of the St. Louis County Missouri PanHellenic. She married William H. McNabb on November 13, 1954 and together they had four children who were the pride of her life. Her husband was a chemical engineer for CF Industries and they raised their children in St. Louis, Missouri, Hannibal, Missouri and Lakeland, Florida. Her husband preceded her in death in 1975 and despite the challenges she faced, Dottie remained vigilant in keeping her family together. By encouraging involvement in scholastics, music and sports and stressing the value of education she achieved her goal of having all her children earn their college degrees and become productive members of society. When her children were in school Dottie became a fixture at Lakeland Senior High School serving as a substitute teacher for 17 years from 1973 until she retired from teaching in 1990. Dottie had a sunny personality and never met a stranger that she didn’t have laughing in a matter of minutes. She had a wide range of interests that included birding, bridge, garden club, tennis, trout fishing, sailing and ski club. She was also a life long artist and in her later years was active in the Central Florida art scene frequently displaying her paintings of nature and clay pottery at art shows and galleries. She is survived by her four children and ten grand children who include daughter, Judith Fielder and her husband Richard from Orlando, Florida and their two children Tess and Brett; son, James McNabb, MD and his wife Elizabeth from Mooresville, NC and their three children Ian and wife Lindsay, Bryce, and Caitlin; son, Patrick McNabb his wife Kimberly Turner, PhD from Alexandria, VA and their four children: Claire, Molly, Katharine, and Finn; and son, Thomas McNabb, PhD, his wife Paula from Arlington, TN and their daughter Zhenya. Dottie resided in Mooresville, NC since 2012 after relocating from her home in Florida to be close with her family. While in Mooresville she loved listening to the Lake Norman Big Band of which her son, Dr. James McNabb is the President and a trombone player. She could frequently be seen at the Finish Line restaurant enjoying the band’s performances. The family would like to extend their sincere heartfelt appreciation to Richard Seifried and the entire staff at the Carillon Assisted Living Facility located in Mooresville, NC. The Carillon staff provided an amazing amount of care, support, understanding, and love to our mother in the final year of her life. Dottie endeared herself to the Carillon staff and community with her zest for life and energy that she brought into the community. They in turn allowed her to live with dignity and respect earned from a lifetime of dedication and service to others. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Cole/McNabb family and condolences may be sent to the family at www.cavin-cook.com. A celebration of Dottie’s life will take place at the Carillon Assisted Living center of Mooresville on Friday November 28th, 2014 at 4:00PM. Visitation for family and friends will follow the service. Memorials may be mailed to Carillon Assisted Living of Mooresville at 198 E. Waterlynn Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 and made payable to "Carillion" for the Dottie Cole Activities Fund.