Dottie was born October 8, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents, Harry and Helen Stickle, owned a taxi and limousine service. Her father nicknamed her "Hap" and the rest of Brooklyn called her "Taxi Feet.'' A most fitting name. It followed her into her life. At the age of eight, she contracted polio. Her parents agreed to experimental therapy and so she was cast from her toes to her waist for ten months. The outcome was that she was alive, healthy, and had a better outcome than most children with polio disease. However her doctor did not believe she would walk or be able to carry children. She immediately set out to defy him.
Not only did she walk, but went on to marry; give birth; build a house with the help of many supportive friends, husband, and father; and, Taxi Feet went on to drive a school bus for Schodack Central Schools for 23 years.
Additionally, Dottie was an expert seamstress. She made wedding gowns, band uniforms, ballet costumes, and many school clothes. At about 55, she hung up her sewing machine and decided to build another kind of house. Dollhouses. She would build doll houses and donate them to organizations to use as fundraisers for the next 20 years.
Dottie is predeceased by both her parents and her husband, Kenny. She is survived by her son, Thom and daughter-in-law Karen of Valley Head, Alabama, and their blended family; Dee; loving grandson, Marcus (Chris); great granddaughter, Ayla; and the many extended family, who for whatever reason came through her door and became a part of our home. With love.
Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to staff of B1, who gave mom back the rest of her life, Rhonda Esposito, NP who cared for mom in our home, and the many, many friends who supported us through the past few years. Our appreciation can never be adequately expressed. Thank you all so much.
We understand that many people would like to pay their respects and express their condolences. However, we know that mom expressively did not want this.
Right now mom is busy teaching. She gifted her body to science for medical education and research through the Anatomical Gift Program of Albany Medical College.
To honor her, we are honoring her wishes. We hope you understand.
Those who wish to commemorate her life can make donations in her name to:
The Activities Fund, B1, Van Rensselaer Manor, 85 Bloomingrove Drive, Troy, NY 12180 or
Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 111 Humane Society Rd, Hudson, NY 12534
Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Dorothy McCumber
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