Dorothy Jean Bennett

Dorothy S. Bennett Fish (1932-2022) A graveside service for Dorothy Bennett, 90, will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Brother Steve Grenier. The world welcomed Dorothy Jean "Dottie" Stafford on January 2, 1932. Dottie was the only child of John and Myrtle Stafford and spent her early years in Mena, Arkansas, where she met her future husband, Frank Putman. A widow by age 38, Dottie raised two children (Joel Clark and April Kathleen) and married her second husband, David L. Bennett in 1979. Widowed yet again in her 70s, she fell in love with Dr. Paul E. Fish, whom she married in 2011. Dottie battled a rare form of leukemia during the last year of her life and passed away peacefully at home on February 16, 2022. "Miss Dottie" exemplified kindness and always had a smile to share. She was a hard worker who spent her career in hospital administrative support at Schumpert Hospital and Bossier General Hospital. She retired from Bossier Medical Center in 1995 after nearly 30 years spent with co-workers who were like family to her. She volunteered for various organizations after her retirement, including the Shreveport Rescue Mission. Miss Dottie was a voracious reader and instilled a love for books in her children. She had a quick wit and was a model of resilience. She always put others first. Dorothy leaves behind her husband of 10 years, Dr. Paul E. Fish; a daughter, Kathy Mansfield and husband, Rick; a stepdaughter, Melanie Vermillion and husband, Randall; and two step-grandsons Garrett Vermillion, Kevin Mount, as well as her beloved cats Smokey and Tip. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son, Joel Clark Putman. The family wishes to extend sincere appreciation to Shonta Williams and Wanda Robinson for providing support to the family during the past few weeks, and to St. Joseph's Hospice for their assistance during the last year, with special thanks to nurses Hailey Simmons and Kayla Budwah, CNA Takeshia Lofton, and chaplain Christina Sebastian. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the POLA Foundation Dog Rescue. (www.polafoundation.com)