Ayla Brooks
Published: January 25, 2006
As she opens the doors to the pool, there is a change in the chlorine-filled air. Broad smiles of everyone in the room resonate and brighten the atmosphere. A woman who captures the morning sunshine on her face, eyes that possess the summer and a smile that captivates; this is Dotty Whitcomb.
Upon entering, the PJC coordinator for aquatics greets each individual with a hug, a kiss on the cheek and a genuine handshake for the gentleman sitting on the bleachers. Whitcomb is a magnetic personality that pulls everyone in.
“I love you!” she spoke warmly and genuinely to some of the women who are in the Aquatics Class. Whitcomb glowed from the inside out in her periwinkle blue sweater, tan pants and outrageously embroidered boots.
Whitcomb is 77 years old and was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease two years ago leaving her with a speech impediment; however Whitcomb had no difficulty getting her thoughts across. She spoke with her eyes, her hands and her soul.
Whitcomb was born in a “little town in Kentucky.” She learned how to swim in a creek across from her home and remembers it with passion.
“During the Great Depression my mother paid ten whole dollars for swimming lessons at a real pool! That was a heck of a lot of money back then!”
Swimming became Whitcomb’s life. She became a lifeguard in 1943, went on to graduate from high school and attend Oberlin in Ohio where she met her “soul mate”. She chose to get her degree in physical education for two reasons, “to take care of myself financially and not fail out of college because I had met the most wonderful man there!” she laughed heartily.
This wonderful man she spoke of was her husband of 46 years who passed away in 1996.
“It is God and family in my life. Those are the things that matter most. My husband told me before he died that he had to go first so he could talk God into letting me in,” she smiled broadly.
Whitcomb and Sally Menk started the Master Swimmers about seven years ago, a team that uses PJC’s pool. This team includes swimmers from the age of 18 to 82 and goes to Auburn University for competition every year.
Besides the Master Swimmers program, Whitcomb is very involved in the community of Pensacola. She has raised money for children whose parents are financially struggling so they can swim also.
“I believe that swimming changes a soul for the better,” Whitcomb says.
Andrew Pieretti, a PJC student who is a lifeguard at the campus pool says Whitcomb is “energetic, loving and caring.”
Another PJC student and swimming teacher reports Whitcomb as, “wonderful! She is really dedicated to anyone and everyone who wants to learn to swim no matter what age or disability they have. She is dedicated and just has a way about her that is very encouraging.”
When the aqua dynamics class ended there were several women who wanted to speak more of Whitcomb.
“Dotty is youthful! Always smiling and energetic! She is admirable and my inspiration!” Barbara McDonnell said.
Dotty spoke of her impending death from Lou Gehrig’s disease openly and without fear – “I am going to spend the rest of my life traveling and enjoying it! I hope when I pass away my last check bounces at the mortuary!”
Anyone who has met Whitcomb knows she is a fighter, a beautiful soul and most of all, a swimmer.