Dottye yearned to travel, and when a chance came to visit New Zealand she was determined to go. But she had a problem; she was broke. So she borrowed $25 from every friend she could think of (and ther

Dottye yearned to travel, and when a chance came to visit New Zealand she was determined to go. But she had a problem; she was broke. So she borrowed $25 from every friend she could think of (and there were many), promising to pay them all back, (she did), and cobbled together the funds for the exhilarating trip that opened the world for her. She became an intrepid traveler both abroad and in the United States.Dorothy Elaine Law was born on April 20, 1946, to John Wesley Law and Rachael Tolson Law in Winston-Salem, N.C. and spent most of her life living in Forsyth County. She had two sisters, Cora Angie and Patsy Jean. All are now deceased. Dottye died peacefully on May 24 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem after a long illness.Always ready for adventure, Dottye visited all but six of the states in the US and many countries. Over her last months, her illness kept her housebound, but she was excited for her final voyage. She’d never been on a cruise and she said, “Death will be like leaving on a big boat and not having to worry about returning or becoming ill on board.”Dottye read widely and was particularly drawn to books about people who overcame great trials. She credits books and a lust for learning in helping her survive a traumatic childhood. Forced to leave school before finishing high school, she finally, in her thirties, realized a dream and entered Salem College in Winston-Salem, majoring in Economics/Management and Anthropology. By this time, she was married and busy raising three children. Still, she made lifelong friends with some of the other older students and with many of her professors. Later she earned a Master’s in Public Health from UNC Greensboro.Dottye held a variety of jobs in public health. For many years she worked at Wake Forest School of Medicine. One of her roles was teaching medical students how to communicate better with patients and their caregivers. In her last job before retiring, she created educational programs at the SECU Family House in Winston Salem that brought together families staying at the House and those who were training in many health-related fields to work with patients. The primary goals were to raise awareness about the impact of illness on the entire family and to help improve understanding between families and medical institutions.Making and cultivating deep friendships -- and connecting people -- were hallmarks of Dottye’s outgoing personality. She was a member of Friendship Force International. She made friends everywhere and kept up with people all over the world. She was always ready to listen. As her grandson said, “She always showed up.” In addition to her close knit “Fab 4,” Dottye belonged to a long-standing book club and to the Farther Along women, a group of bereaved mothers who have gathered to write and travel together for almost 25 years. She prepared for one road trip to Red Cloud, Nebraska, the childhood home of author Willa Cather, by devouring every word Cather wrote and reading every biography.Dottye also adored cooking. Her kitchen was her “happy place.” She cooked bountiful, delicious meals for her family and many friends and acquaintances. Everyone was always welcome at Dottye’s table, especially for “big breakfast.”  She was also obsessed with playing all types of games.  Another “happy place?” Being behind the wheel of her car. She loved to drive and often took spontaneous road trips to visit loved ones.Dottye was devoted to her family and thrilled to become a grandmother for the fourth time at age 77. She is survived by a daughter, Karin Solomonson (Chad); and two grown grandchildren, Emily Solomonson Sandoval (Carlos) and Boden; her son, Glenn Snyder (Jonni), and two grandchildren, Tayson and Lindy; a German exchange student who became like another daughter, Birgit Hellerbrand, and her son, Sebastian; and her two stepdaughters, Debby Peck and Vicky Kirgan. She is predeceased by two beloved men, her husband Walt Currin and her son Alex Snyder.In lieu of a funeral, Dottye and Karin hosted a celebration of life for Dottye’s 80th birthday. They called it a FUNeral. The party featured a bluegrass band, singers, a full lunch spread, and multiple birthday cakes. More than eighty friends attended, and everyone had a chance to spend time with Dottye. After the party she said, “I just wish I could have made sure everyone there met everyone else.”Online condolences may be sent to: www.salemfh.comIn celebration of Dottye’s life and work, contributions may be made to:Salem CollegeUNCG Master’s Program in Public HealthThe SECU Family House in Winston-SalemThe Arts-Based School in Winston-Salem