Former Anna Maria Mayor Dorothy “Dottie” Quinn McChesney died Sept. 1. She was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, by English-born parents.
She resided the past 15 years in Parrish, but had lived in Anna Maria from 1986 to 1996. She had been a frequent visitor to the Island since 1957. Her mother at one time owned Mademoiselle Salon in Bradenton Beach.
She was a graduate in speech and drama of Ohio Wesleyan University and taught acting at the Living Arts Center in Dayton, Ohio and at the Kettering (Ohio) Adult School. Her father taught drama in Ohio and a second cousin, Alec McCowan, was a noted British actor in London theaters and on Broadway.
Mrs. McChesney honed early talents in swimming, diving and the arts. Theater became her passion, and she saw success as an actor and director at the Cleveland Play House, and later in professional and community theaters in Manatee and Sarasota counties.
Mrs. McChesney served for several years on the board of directors of the Island Players, chaired its play selection committee and directed and performed in numerous productions. She helped found and was chairperson for the Chapel Players at Roser Memorial Community Church and spearheaded the group’s summer drama youth workshops. Among many productions, the group received rave reviews for its memorable performance of “Cheaper by the Dozen,” featuring first-time stage appearances for many youths.
She was a member of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, the Artist’s Guild of Anna Maria Island, Island Players, Roser Memorial Community Church and Save Anna Maria Inc.
Mrs. McChesney served as an officer with the Island Democratic Club and entered the political arena in February 1993, when she ran successfully for the office of Anna Maria city commissioner. In 1995, she ran a successful campaign against the political establishment in the city, defeating interim-Mayor Max Znika for a one-year term.
McChesney said at the time of her election in 1993 that she wanted to champion against a proposed high-rise bridge on Manatee Avenue. She said then she would encourage and promote physical, mental, spiritual and cultural activities in the community. “I plan to work with and encourage not only the efforts of our beautification committee, but also help the historical society in their efforts to preserve our past for future generations. I want to work closely with the community center to make sure it is able to provide its existing programs and add more,” she said.
She said she would preserve and enhance the unique small-town ambiance of the Island community.
As mayor, she championed a state law that was signed in March 1996 by then-Florida Governor Lawton Chiles banning anyone from taking more than two live shellfish — starfish and sand dollars — from the waters of Manatee County.
She had open-heart surgery and a five-way bypass and a heart valve replacement in 2004.
A celebration of life is being planned in November. Condolences may be addressed to the McChesney home, 148 Palm Blvd., Parrish FL 34219.
Her husband of 35 years, Roy, said he hopes people remember Dottie as a “fighter” for the city and someone dedicated to the theater.
She also is survived by sons Richard and wife Christina Quinn, Douglas and wife Myra Quinn and Martin and wife Wendy Quinn, and stepson Philip McChesney; sisters Patricia and husband Jack and Constance; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Dottie will be so missed. She was one of the great givers of her talents and her heart. She taught me so much about theater through her experience and contagious excitement for it. She will always have a special place in my heart. My sincere condolences to her husband, Roy, and her family. Joy Courtney