Dorothy Pauline "Dottie" Brunette

Dorothy Pauline “Dottie” Brunette, Sylva native and former Jackson County Librarian, transcended the physical on September 20, 2022, at Mission Hospital in Asheville. She was 74.  Dottie was born January 1, 1948, in Sylva. She was the much-adored only child of Ada Moody Brunette and Ralph H. Brunette, both deceased. She was devoted to the love of her life, her beloved spouse, Jane Locke Brown, who also predeceased her.

Dottie graduated from Sylva-Webster High School and attended Emory University in Atlanta, where she settled for a number of years. However, she always loved her hometown and Sylva called out to her. She returned in 1980 and began classes at WNC. She graduated in 1990, with honors, with a Bachelor of Science degree. By that time, Dottie had decided to heed her mother’s sage advice to pursue a library career. In 1995, she earned a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from UNC Greensboro.

Dottie began her library career at Hunter Library at WNC and continued on to serve at Fontana Regional Library, Macon County Public Library, and the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library, where she supervised and coordinated a major renovation of the facility. As Jackson County Librarian, Dottie was influential in the location, concept, design and construction of the new Jackson County Library and restoration of the old County Courthouse. The Courthouse is now a showplace of Sylva and Jackson County and home to the Jackson County Genealogical Society, Arts Council and Historical Society.

Dottie is survived by her nephew, Christopher Brown; his wife, Veronica; children, Isabella, Ben, Ana; cousins, Jane Marie Torre, Susan Torre Hoeffler; aunt, Jane Cooper; dear friend, Mary Ellen McElhattan;  “adopted daughter” Mary Ellen Royal; and her beloved cats, Simon and Bogart.

Dottie loved Sylva and the entire Western Carolina area and always worked to make it welcoming to all. Her contributions are innumerable. She was a funny, loving, active member of the community who counted many as friends who will miss her dearly.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Jackson County Library at 2:00PM, October 29, 2022. 

In lieu of flowers, please remember Dottie with a donation to St. David’s Episcopal Church in Sylva or Catman2 Rescue in Cullowhee.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Appalachian Funeral Services, Sylva NC.