Dorothea Murzicos Nolting Fry

Dorothea Murzicos Nolting Fry, known to her friends and family as Dotts, of Little Rock, passed away on December 28, 2010 in San Marcos, Texas. She was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas on December 27, 1931, to her late parents, John Murzicos and Mary Murzicos Casten. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jack Nolting, brother-in-law, Jay Whitaker and niece, Mary Ann Whitaker. Dotts remained close friends with her previous husband, Terry Fry, throughout the years. She will also be profoundly missed by her sister Phyllis Whitaker of San Marcos, her two nieces, Stephanie Mingarelli and husband David of Round Rock, Texas, and Deborah Cooper and husband William of Hockley, Texas. She was blessed to watch her great-nieces and nephews enjoy their young lives, Blake and Jacob Denton and Emily and Abby Cooper. She graced our lives with her creativity, around interior decorating and floral arrangements. Phyllis, Stephanie and Deborah were always in need of her expertise when it came to decorating their homes, creating floral masterpieces for their weddings or just hanging pictures on the walls. Dotts attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, and later The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where she was very involved. While at the University of Arkansas, she was President of the Delta Gamma Sorority, President of Panhellenic, a member of Mortar Board, and was named a Who's Who among colleges and universities. Professionally, Dotts set the standards that changed the way we look at fashion and decorations of both interior and floral style. For over 20 years, she managed the design staff of Tipton & Hurst, the leading floral and interior shop in Arkansas. Under her supervision, she tutored and inspired scores of apprentices of design, to reach their potential. This dedication established her as the mentor that led to her protégés becoming her legacy. Dotts was on the board of the Dallas Trade Mart and a member of the American Institute of Floral Design, she also conducted seminars throughout the country. Her style of design was both classic and cutting edge. Dotts staged the homes and events that shaped many lives. The poetry of her design engaged the famous and celebrated. Fashion designers (Bill Blass, Halston, Geoffrey Beene, among others) and interior designers sought her advice and design expertise, staging productions and personal celebrations. Her passion for design and ability to enhance our lives will be the celebration that we live better because she insisted we take the time and see(smell) the roses. Three cheers! Trisagion Service will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 2nd at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home, 5800 W. 12th Street, Little Rock, 501-661-9111. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 3rd, at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Park with Rev. Dr. Nicholas J. Verdaris as celebrant. A celebration of her life will follow at the home of Jeanne and Dan Spencer. In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, the family humbly suggests memorial contributions be made to the Scholarship Fund in care of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 1100 Napa Valley Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211 (501) 221-5300. To sign Mrs. Fry's online guest book please visit www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.