A Celebration of Life
February 1929 - August 26, 2021
Billie Dawn, Born Yesterday, 1951, Ohio University M.F.A.
Petie Dodrill
Obituary
Ruth, (Petie), Dodrill, age 92, of Westerville, Ohio, died peacefully in her sleep at home on Thursday, August 26, 2021. Petie was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania to Edith and Clarence Johnson. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Penn State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in theatre from Ohio University. Petie was the costume designer for over 100 productions at the Otterbein College Theatre; she introduced Children’s Theatre to the Otterbein and the Westerville Community in 1962, directing 26 Children’s Theatre productions. Petie loved the theater – acting, teaching, designing, and directing in high school, college and community theaters. She shared this passion and the love of travel with her husband of 48 years, Dr. Charles Dodrill, who passed away in 2003. Together they helped create one of the most preeminent theater programs in the nation over their three decades working together. For creating a legacy of inspiration, community, and creativity at Otterbein, Petie received the Otterbein Women’s Club Woman of the Year Award in 1979, and an Honorary Alumna degree from Otterbein University in 1994. Petie was the Director of the Speech and Theater Department at Gahanna Lincoln High School where she taught for 30 years and served as the director and designer for over 35 productions. Deeply engaged with arts and life-long learning, Petie read voraciously, painted, travelled, and audited numerous classes at Otterbein University. She shared her love of the written word with the broader community into her 90s in two book clubs, reading to to frst graders at McVay Elementary School in Westerville for 12 years , performing in VOICEcorps live radio channel, and directing plays for Curtain Players and the SRO Theater Company. She was deeply involved with the Otterbein University Advisory Board as a dedicated board member and contributor. Petie was blessed with three children: Tracy (Andy) Foster, Brad (Bethany) Dodrill and Trish (Tony) Garrison. Six grandchildren: Kate and Megan Foster, Lindsay Dorka and Matt Dodrill, Jake, and Savannah Garrison, and one great granddaughter, Reese Dorka. Petie so loved sharing in all their busy lives – her family was the greatest pride and joy in her life.
Letters to Nana
Nana, I will always remember your love for adventure which included taking me on amazing trips to Europe as well as trespassing in Florida to look at all the pretty properties :). I also want to thank you for my potty mouth because I distinctly remember when you told me that swear words sounded prettier. I love you so much and will forever cherish our time together.
xoxo Lindsay
My Nana, at once a family matriarch and community builder, was forever a big fan of Otterbein, her family, and her favorite season— crisp, beautiful fall. How ftting, to gather together, on her campus, with family and friends, to celebrate and fete a woman who brought such deep meaning to the lives around her, and who belonged to so many people. Petie taught us how to tell great stories, how to live unapologetically, and how to celebrate love stories. Petie taught me how to love fercely, how to feel witnessed and known in my own life, and how to intentionally build a home with family and friends. Nana will be there with me, my wife Anna and our frst, Oakley Pete, to fnd beauty and belonging in the world, alongside magic and awe at the ways she stays with us.
Love, Kate
Nana was only my Nana for 9 sweet but short years, and I’m so grateful I got them. I instantly remember connecting with her and telling my wife that if we were born at the same time, I think we would have still found each other and would have been friends. We made each other laugh, we were silly together and I loved hearing all her wild stories. She accepted me into the family immediately and loved me for loving her frst grandchild. Our son Oakley Pete is named afer her, we can’t wait to see her live in him as he grows. Most importantly, I will miss beating her at 3-13... but afer all, she was the one who taught me how to play, so that made her a great teacher. She is so very missed, but she is still here with us because she lives in her children, her grandkids, in butterfies, sunsets and rustling fall leaves.
Love, Anna
There’s no one memory that could possibly paint a picture of my incredible Nana. She was the most dynamic woman I’ve ever met. She taught me the value of independence, strength, vitality, and love. She was the main character of her own life, building story afer story more incredible than the one before. She lived a life most akin to her favorite characters in the books that she read so voraciously. I can’t explain how blessed I feel to have known her and to have been loved by her. She still lives on in every red door I see, every butterfy that fies past me, every restaurant that has the perfect ambience and every single sunset. I miss her every day and will be forever grateful to have played a part in her life.
Love, Megan
Nana, I will always remember your youthful exuberance for life. You introduced me to so many things I will never forget; Croquet, Hide the Button, Crazy Eights, and last but not least, the art of trespassing to catch a glimpse of beautiful architecture. Thank you for always being such an important part of my life. You’ve helped shape me into the person that I am today, and I will never forget you.
Love, Matt
My loving Peaches/Nana, I will forever cherish the time that we got to spend together, and I am so fortunate and blessed to have had you in my life for 22 years. You brought so much joy into everyone’s lives, and in my case, more than I could have ever imagined. Thank you for the sleepovers, pancake breakfasts, sunsets in Siesta Key and for always making time for just me. You supported me through everything, and you always made me aware that you were my “number one fan.” You taught me how to be adventurous, encouraged me not to be afraid to take chances, and seek out what makes me truly happy. You truly were one of a kind and you will always hold a very special place in my heart.
Love, Jake
My beloved Peaches, there are no words to describe the impact you have had on me. You taught me that it’s good to be bold, outspoken, and so full of life and love that everyone around you can feel it. I will forever miss our late-night card tournaments, our endless conversations about books and plays, but most importantly I will miss your hugs in which you always squeezed especially tight at the end just so you can whisper how much you love me in my ear. I am forever and truly blessed to have the time that I had with you. I wish there was more, but I take you with me every single day and I know that you are with me always. I love you endlessly.
XOXO, Savannah (Your Card Shark)
Afterglow
I’d like the memory of me to be A happy one.
I’d like to leave an aferglow of smiles When life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering Sofly down the ways, Of happy time and laughing times
And bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, To dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Helen lowrie MarsHall
Celebrating the Life of Petie Dodrill
Welcome ........................................... Tracy Foster, Brad Dodrill & Trish Garrison (Petie’s children)
Refection ..................................................................................................................................... Brad Dodrill
Refection ................................................................................................................. Becky Fickel Smith ’81
Medley of Petie’s favorite songs .................................................................................. Otterbein Singers
Jeremy Alfera, conductor Dennis Davenport, pianist
“Seasons of Love” from Rent by Jonathan Larson
Soloist: Julia Murphy
“Never Never Land” from Peter Pan by Betty Comden, Adolph Green & Jules Stein
Soloist: Kateri Condon
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz by E.P. ‘Yip’ Harburg and Harold Arlen
Arranged by Jeremy Alfera
Refection ....................................................................................................................... David Robinson ’86
Refection ............................................................................................................ Otterbein Theatre Alumni
Dee Hoty ’74 & John Cain ’76
Otterbein Legacy & Tribute Video ............................... created by Stephen Grinch, Archivist, ’98
Refection .......................... Cindi (Skunza) Macioci ’78, colleague Gahanna Lincoln High School
Refection ................................................................................... Beth Grissinger Simpson, family friend
Otterbein Alumni Weekend, Excerpt, 2002 ................................... John Stefano and Petie Dodrill
Refection ..................................................................................................................................... Tracy Foster
Tribute – Petie, A Star is Born ............................................................................... created by her family
Refection ................................................................................................................................. Trish Garrison
We invite you to join us at a reception to toast our beloved Petie at Petie’s Happy Hour, Roush Hall, Fisher Gallery, directly across the street
We are beyond grateful to the incredible individuals who assisted in creating and planning this celebration led by the amazing Elizabeth Saltzgiver ’99. We especially want to thank Stephen Grinch ’98, Dennis Davenport, T.J. Gerckens ’88, Kitty Mader ’22, Patrick Stone, Rebecca White, Anna Grywalski, Marci Hain, Marcy Shultz, Deb Pindell ’11, Chloe Martin, David Caldwell ’86, Steve Rossman, Matthew D’Oyly ’04, Mark Peters ’70 (posthumously), and all those who shared their stories which helped us bring this program to life. We know Petie is smiling down on us from the best seat in the house.
Otterbein Singers
Directed by Dennis Davenport & Jeremy Alfera
Soprano
Halle Audette
Kinsey Calderone
Kateri Condon
Emma Rose Johnson
Elise Karlstad
Ana Kusenberger
va Meyer
Keliah Schertz
Kailey Souder
Shelby Zimmerman
Alto
Caroline Bowers
Melody Cohen
Elizabeth Foster
Simone Gelety
Katelyn Miller
Phoebe Mock
Julia Murphy
Tenor
Nick Abouzeid
Evan Blust
Nathan Frewen
Jacob Schilling
Roberto Silva-Neto
Bass
Tres Allison
Labron Foy
Jackson Giford
Ben Hoover
Daniel Keener
Ryan Lewis
Charley Scaglione
