Obituary of Dorothy Ruth (Freese) Musgrove

Dorothy R. “Dottie” (Freese) Musgrove, age 91, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, with her loving daughters by her side. Dottie was born and grew up in the town of Gates, New York. She moved to southern California (Hollywood) in 1956 where she became a fashion model for three years for Kathleen Peck Studio, which was located in the Capitol Records building in Hollywood. Dottie met and married Lloyd Bachtelle and had three daughters, Rochelle, Danielle and Michelle. Dottie returned to Rochester in 1967 with her daughters and became quite interested in dogs. Dottie owned and raised Keeshond dogs that were trained in both obedience and show for many years, with one of them recognized in the top 10 in the nation of the Keeshond breed. One of Dottie’s proudest moments was competing and showing her dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Gardens earning enough points to qualify her dog as an American and Canadian Champion. Dottie worked her entire life beginning with her early years at Rochester Products, school bus driving for Gates-Chili and Naples Central Schools, and waitressing. Dottie then went into business for herself as a professional dog groomer as owner and operator of The Tail Waggon Mobile Dog Grooming for over 25 years. Dottie then helped run and manage Rocky’s Pizza for several years. In her later years, Dottie continued her love of animals becoming a home pet sitter throughout upstate New York. Dottie was a member of the Keeshond Club of Canada, the Keeshond Club of America, Rochester Dog Obedience Training Club, Hometown Animal Rescue Program (HARP) in Wayland, NY, Red Hat Society of Wayland, and The Golden Agers. Dottie loved dancing! She was also proud of her military family as she proudly displayed them on her front door next to her patriotic wall. But Dottie will best be remembered by her love of playing Euchre, where she learned to play at a young age by her parents, and then passed on the love of the game to her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Up until the time of her death, Dottie traveled three times a week to play in Euchre tournaments in and around the surrounding communities where she was best known as “Euchre Dottie” by her Euchre friends. At every family gathering, you could count on playing Euchre…a tradition that Dottie’s family will honor and continue in her legacy. In death, Dottie was predeceased by her parents, Hugo and Lenna (Tracy) Freese, brother and sister-in-law Donald (Buz) and Jeanette Freese, grandson Adam Guzman, and long-time partner Joseph “Papa” Conte. Dottie is survived by her daughters Rochelle Bachtelle, Danielle (JR) Guzman and Michelle (AW) Tomlin, grandchildren Jim (May) Clawson, David (Destiny) Clawson, Chris (Aimee) Clawson, Nick (Caitlin) Clawson, PJ (Taylor) Sulli, Olivia (Brandon) Hall, Daniel (Ilyce) Guzman, Cassie (Joe) Freitas, Sam Caifano and Hallie Caifano, great-grandchildren Luke, Trent, Brandon, David, Colton, Damian, Norah, Sophia, Bailey, Aria, Natalie and Jackson, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. The family would like to thank Home Health Care for the unwavering personal care and support provided to Mom in her last years by Ashley, her nursing aide. Mom thought the world of her. There will be no prior calling hours. Dottie will be laid to rest at a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Dottie’s memory to the Wayland-Cohocton Animal Shelter, Hearthside Cats of Cohocton, or an animal shelter of your choice.