Dorothy M. Bice

Dorothy Alice (Miller) Bice, aged 78, died peacefully on July 4, 2016 at home in Bowie, Maryland, surrounded by her family.  Dorothy was born October 12, 1937 in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Kenneth Leroy Miller and Dorothy Alice (Somerville) Arlotta. After graduating from high school in New York City, she attended Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, New York, where she received an Associate of Science Degree in Medical Technology in 1957.  During the years when Dorothy worked as a medical assistant, she met her husband, Edward W. Bice, at Christ Episcopal Church in Glen Ridge, NJ—the church where they were later married.  The couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary on May 27, 2016.  Dorothy supported her husband’s career with the Department of Defense, living in Colorado, Japan, Texas and Bermuda, before finally settling in Maryland.  She worked as a stay-at-home mom during her children’s school years, but later enjoyed a second career as a teacher’s assistant at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church Early Education Center and Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School.  After her retirement, Dorothy kept busy gardening, singing in the Holy Trinity choir and supporting the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Douglas E. Bice, M.D. and his wife, Marcie (children:  Wyatt and Amelia); son, Donald K. Bice, Esq. and wife, Sarah (children:  Caitlyn, Hannah and James); and daughter, Alison Holcombe, M.Ed. and husband, James (children:  Charlotte and Emilie).  Dorothy had two sets of beloved siblings:  her “Florida family,” brother, Craig Arlotta and wife, Diane; sister, Carol Cochran; sister, Linda Schafer and husband, Jim; brother, Gary Arlotta; and her “New Jersey family,” sister, Constance Young and husband, Kenneth; sister, Anne Beall and husband, Kevin; brother, Roy Miller and his wife, Susan.  Dorothy is also survived by her sister-in-law, Elinor Flannery, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Colon Cancer Alliance.