Dorothy Jo Carlson

Dorothy "Dottie" Carlson, born Dorothy Jo Andrews, died on September 30, 2014. She was born in Chicago, IL on December 5, 1927 and raised in Los Angeles, CA by her widowed mother. She graduated Los Angeles High School in 1945 and then attended the University of Michigan where she met her future husband, Quick Carlson. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in Chemistry. She and Quick were married on June 10, 1949. After she and Quick got jobs with the U.S. Hydrographic (now Oceanographic) Office, they moved to Washington, DC, and later to rural Charles County, where they raised five children. When her children were young, Dottie was a full time mom and Girl Scout leader. She was also very active in PTA and Band Boosters. Always an avid reader and bibliophile, she began working for the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System where, in 1970, she opened the Baden Branch. Later she worked at the Surratts Branch where she headed the Children’s Department. She retired in 1989 and actively pursued numerous hobbies. Often with a crew of grandchildren, she and Quick attended the Great International Steamboat Flotilla with their 23-foot steam launch, “The Wind in the Willows,” every year since 1985 and she published the newsletter for the Steamboat Club for about 20 years. She was in two book clubs and in knitting and embroidery clubs. She enjoyed making sweaters, hats, mittens, and stuffed animals for family members and for charity. She had unique antique braiding machines for making shoelaces and decorative trim. Her favorite author was Jane Austen and her favorite book was Pride and Prejudice. Family and friends gathered to celebrate her life last week at the family home. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Quick; her brother Robert Andrews (Jacque) of Walnut Creek, CA; and five children, Lona Powell (Gordon), Dorn Carlson (Kathleen), Tara Carlson (Jim Kudzal), Innes Borstel (Chris) and Roal Carlson. She had 11 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who all fondly called her “GangGang.” Memorial contributions, while not expected, may be made to Dottie’s favorite charity: “Friends of the Baden Library,” Baden Branch Public Library, 13603 Baden-Westwood Road, Brandywine, MD 20613.

Dorothy Jo Carlson

December 5, 1927 - September 30, 2014