Dorothy Ann Hopkins Wonson Obituary
Dorothy Ann Hopkins Wonson, 87, beloved wife of Donald Augustus Wonson, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Ledgewood Skilled Nursing Home in Beverly, Massachusetts.
Dorothy, known as Dottie, was born in Brattleboro, VT on November 9, 1935, daughter of David and Helon Hopkins. Dorothy graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1953, continuing on to the University of Connecticut, where she completed her Associates Degree. Dorothy then competed in the Miss America Pageant as Miss Connecticut in 1954, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City. After the pageant, she traveled in Europe and later in New Zealand. In 1960, Dorothy married Ronald Taft of Glens Falls, New York, and had two sons, Henry D. Taft and Ross H. Taft. After the marriage ended in divorce, Dorothy met Donald Wonson; they married in 1972 and raised their family at 28 Eastern Point Blvd., Gloucester, MA, including Donna and David from Don's first marriage. Dottie and Don went into business together, establishing the Garden Patch Florist and Garden Center in Gloucester MA. Her passion for floral design and his for landscape design created a thriving business that served the Cape Ann community for decades. Once retired, they moved to 3 Atkinson Street in Newburyport, MA.
Dorothy will always be remembered for her amazing baked goods, her loving ways, and family gatherings during the holidays.
She is survived by her two sons, Henry D. Taft and Ross H. Taft and his wife Leana Taft, stepsister Donna Perritte and her husband Bob Perritte, grandchildren Spencer and Morgan Taft, her sisters Allison Sheffield and Mary Nicholls, and her brother David B. Hopkins. The family joins in grieving Dorothy's passing and sends loving thoughts to her in the afterlife. We miss you very much, Mom – rest in peace.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or http://www.stjude.org or to Alzheimer's Association of Eastern Massachusetts, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 or http://www.alz.org. Arrangements are by the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester, MA. Online 0condolences may be given at: http://www.greelyfuneralhome.com.
