Dorothy T. Henderson

 Dorothy T. Henderson, 97, of Columbus, Ohio passed away at The Grand Assisted Living Center in Dublin, Ohio on January 11, 2023. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1925, Dotty attended Penn State University and was a dyed-in-the-wool Nittany Lions fan the rest of her life. Her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, was also a treasured relationship to Dotty throughout her life.

Dorothy Taylor married Norman Henderson in 1963 and worked for many years at his business: Henderson Aerial Surveys, Ltd in Columbus. Norman passed away in 1986 and Dotty later sold the company which left more time for her to pursue her passion - being a true animal lover. Dotty frequently said, "Animal people are the best people." A Docent Emeritus at the Columbus Zoo, she had a 30 year tenure as a docent. She not only helped hand raise baby gorillas, a bonobo, a gibbon and four pronghorns, she helped fund the construction of a gorilla nursery at the Zoo, donated 3/4 size bronze statues of gorillas outside the gorilla habitat and also helped raise money for the people of Rwanda so that the slaughter of gorillas could be forever eradicated. Her time, money and efforts enriched the lives of many animals.

Dotty was also very proud of the fact that she traveled the world and visited 7 continents and regaled everyone with stories of her travels. She took ballet lessons for many years and was also an avid bird watcher. Dotty was dearly loved and cared for by the Casale family, as well as many other dear friends, over the past ten years.  Her many years-long relationships with dedicated and loving friends was something she truly cherished. She especially cherished her friendship with former Zoo Director Jack Hanna.

Dotty was stepmother to Sharon Bolles (Centennial, CO), Lori Boomershine (Columbus, OH) and Susie Donaldson (Maui, HI). She is predeceased by her parents, James and Rella May Taylor and her beloved brothers, Julius "Jay" Taylor and Gail Taylor. 

Dotty was laid to rest on Saturday, January 14th, 2023 in Girard, PA. Donations in Dotty's memory can be made to the Dorothy Taylor Henderson Dean's Discretionary Library Endowment at Penn State University or to the Dorothy Taylor Henderson Fund for Wildlife at the Morris Animal Foundation in Englewood, CO, or to the Dorothy Henderson Fund of the Columbus Foundation.

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