Eunice Dorothy Hastings Gillespie, 82, passed away March 27, 2010 in Sherman, Texas ending her courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. Services were under the direction of Waldo Funeral Home. Born to Julia Reasoner and Harold Herman Hastings on May 23, 1927 in Oneco, Florida, she enjoyed an exciting childhood of legendary escapades and adventures with her two brothers and sister, her best friend of 73-years, Audrey, and high school pals Paula Dillman and Mary Alta (Dowd) Griffin in the Oneco /Bradenton area. At an early age she expressed a keen interest in service and community whether engaged in protecting the Florida coastline as a volunteer WWII plane spotter or serving as an equipment manager for her high school basketball team. She attended college, married and returned to Oneco to raise a family when her husband was deployed overseas.
Dorothy was a creative and caring spirit who was at home wherever the assignment during her husband's U.S. Air Force career and later, in Sherman, where her husband, Ed, retired. She enjoyed drawing and painting in charcoals, oils, water color and acrylics; designing in stained glass (Dorothy's Designs); cooking and baking for family and friends, reading and story writing, teaching piano or Red Cross Programs in CPR and swimming; volunteering for the Air Force Family Services, local hospital volunteer services, Texoma Regional Blood Bank, and VFW and Salvation Army volunteer programs; manning a Civil Air Patrol search and rescue radio dispatch post; participating on a curling team while living in Anchorage, Alaska; completing needlework projects or sewing and knitting blankets, sweaters and clothes for those in need; sharing a story or teaching a grandchild the finer points of writing, painting, gardening, biking, collecting sea shells on the beach or agates along a mountain stream, paddling a canoe or fishing with a child and relating the story of the catch with the enthusiasm of a network sportscaster. Throughout the years she especially enjoyed singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday School, or participating in Stephen's Ministry and various student ministry programs. True to her heritage as a member of Florida's first family of horticulturists (Reasoner Brother's Nursery), she was an avid gardener, landscape designer, member of the Garden Club (as well as a National Council Life Member), Master Gardener and member of the Board of the Eisenhower Birthplace. She and her husband were often seen working together in their yard intently supervised by their constant companion dogs and cats, tending their collection of experimental roses, raising some exotic flower or shrub from seed or cuttings donated by friends from around the world or soliciting volunteers to help with numerous community, civic or charitable projects in and around Sherman. At the end of the day she and Ed frequently enjoyed sitting quietly in the wide wooden swings brought from the porches of her childhood home while they enjoyed the fruits of their combined labors under the grape and wisteria arbor with family and friends. And, "when things were quiet at Ed's law office where she worked as his secretary, Dot and Ed would sometimes sneak in a quick game of cribbage. More often than not, to Ed's chagrin, she remained the undisputed champion for weeks on end".
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Stuart Edgar (Ed) Gillespie; sister, Sarah Kelly and daughter, L. Christine (Dee) Gillespie. She is survived by her older brother Norman Reasoner Hastings of South Carolina, younger brother H. Thomas Hastings and wife Catherine of Jacksonville, Florida; son, C. Pat Gillespie and wife, Marie, of Delaware; daughter, Julia Collins and husband, James H. Collins of Texas; daughter, Kate A. Holmes and Rick Scalf of New Mexico and son, William S. Gillespie and Linda Boaz of California. She is also survived by six grandchildren (Terri, Kelly, DeAnne, Adam, James and Kimberleigh), six-1/2 great-grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank her caregivers, especially Sandra Thomas, and the staff of Homestead of Sherman and Home Hospice of Grayson County, her roommate, Ms. Rose McKee, and many of her friends who have accompanied us throughout the long fight against the disease that has robbed us all of her caring heart and the enjoyment of her numerous witticisms and keen sense of humor. We will miss her greatly. 
Services were held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Tuesday, March 30, 2010 day at 10;00 a.m. with burial to follow at West Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Home Hospice of Grayson County, The Alzheimer's Association, The Humane Society, Covenant Presbyterian Outreach or a charity of your choice.