Statement from Oliver Hurley, General Manager of the Rose of Tralee International Festival, following the untimely death of Dorothy (Dott) Henggler, the 2011 Washington DC Rose.
It was with great sadness that we received the news of the death last night of Dott Henggler, the 2011 Washington DC Rose, following a long-illness bravely borne.
We received the sad news from Dorothy’s family this morning:
“Today our beloved Dorothy joined her sister Treasa in Heaven. She was surrounded by her adoring family at home and passed away peacefully. We are so grateful for the 27 years of joy she brought to us. We know that Dorothy impacted every life she touched and will be remembered by many around the world.”
At the time of the 2011 Rose of Tralee International Festival, she worked as a communications coordinator for T Rowe Price having graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Communication. Everyone who had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Dott will miss her fun, caring and compassionate personality.
Dott’s mother, Eibhlín, is from Killarney and one of the highlights of Dott’s Rose of Tralee experience was when the Rose Tour Bus arrived at Muckross House where nearly 100 people turned out to welcome her.
She was a big Dr Crokes and Kerry football fan while she was a huge supporter of the Baltimore Ravens American Football team.
We extend our deepest sympathy to Dott’s family and to her fellow Roses and wider Rose of Tralee family, many of whom kept a vigil wherever they were around the world from the moment that she first became ill.
