Garber, Dorothy Ryland (Dot) , also known as Dorothy Garber Claybrook , of Gloucester, Virginia, passed away on Friday, April 30, 2021.  Born April 28, 1937 in Richmond, Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Robert Temple Ryland and Neva Austin Ryland. The majority of her youth was spent growing up on the Northern Neck at Sharps, Virginia where her father was teacher, principal and later Superintendant of Richmond and Westmoreland County Schools. She graduated from Richmond Professional Institute ( RPI), now V irginia Commonwealth University .

Dorothy had a wonderful childhood on the Rappahannock River , tagging along wherever her two older brothers ventured. She lovingly watched her father til l his large garden each year with mule and blade. His love of all things nature, inspired in her a lifelong, deep appreciation for flower s, plants and each and every critter .

Family and heritage were dear to her heart, and s he was always present to create wonderful memories with aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends, especially at her father's birthplace, Ingleside, in King and Queen County , V A. She would spend weeks there each year with her niece, Anne Ryland Glubiak and husband, Peter, and family , who had renovated Ingleside, playing Santa or Easter Bunny for the children and entertaining other visiting relatives with a mischievous giggle and a twinkle in her eye . Standing around the family piano in front of the roaring fireplace, singing Christmas carols as Dot made the piano dance , was part of what the larger family looked forward to each year almost until her passing.

When she graduated from RPI, as an art major, she embarked on almost three decades in Richmond as a commercial artist working for a local firm.  At the age of 48, she retired and married her long-time colleague and friend, William Wilson Garber (Bill) , entering into twelve years of wonderful and meaningful marriage on their beautiful property surrounded on three sides by Cobbs Creek, in Mathews County, Virginia. She wrote of the sunsets and shimmering, bright moonlight , and the days spent canoeing with Bill and sailing with neighbors. When Bill passed away, Dot gathered up her creative spirit, opening up her windows and playing the organ at night to serenade grateful friends across the creek. She volunteered with art groups, and participated in many clubs and organizations, ranging from the Audubon Society and Red Hat Club to the Daughters of the American Revolution. In her 'free' time in her 70's, she was part of a 'band' that travelled to local nursing homes and other entities to play uplifting and familiar tunes to the delight of the residents. A multi-talented musician, she dutifully carried her keyboard to each engagement.

In February 2011, Dot was blessed by the Spirit to be joined into another wonderful marriage , to William Lyn Claybrook (Lyn) . Their mutual love of music, travel and laughter, a s well as their faith and dedication to the c hurch where they met , Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church , were the basis for a rich and deep ten years of love and adventure. Lyn's four children and their families added yet another rich dimension to her life , blessing her during a very special part of her journey. Celebrating their milestones , she was constantly there to applaud their accomplishments. Traveling far and wide, Dot and Lyn visited l andmarks across the country and abroad , always making time to visit family along the way . They reveled in community musical performances and were staples at the Richmond Pops Band concerts. Indeed, life turned out to be a beautiful, ongoing concert for Dot, who would say that her favorite quote was, " Life is the 'music'; Love i s the 'song.'

Dot is predeceased by her parents, her first husband, William Wilson Garber, brother, Robert Temple Ryland, Jr . and his wife, Anne Motley Ryland, brother John Newton Ryland, III , and step son-in-law William O. (Billy) Healy , Jr . She is survived by her loving husband, William Lyn Claybrook , his four children, Karen C. Hatton (Michael), Steven K. Claybrook (Dixie), Kathy C. Healy, and Anita C. Slagle (David), sister in-law , Mary Ann Haigis , sister-in-law, Darlene Mclaughlin Ryland, nine nieces and nephews, whom she would always insist she helped raise, Elizabeth R Newton (Jeff), Robert T Ryland, III (Cheryl), Anne R Glubiak (Peter), Catharine R Wolford (Jerry), John M Ryland (Donna), John N Ryland, IV (Sarah), Suzanne R Massey (Tommy), David B. Ryland, and Mary Kathleen Ryland , a h ost of wonderful grandchildren and great-grandchildren from her second marriage, many great-nieces and nephews, and numerous devoted friends . She will be missed greatly.

There will be a graveside service at a later date at Bruington Baptist Church, King & Queen County, Va . M emorial contributions in Do rothy Ryland Garber's name may be made to: Virginia Baptist Historical Society , UR 34, 410 Westhampton Way, University of Richmond, Virginia 23173