Pensacola loses a swimmer's best friend,
Pensacola loses an icon

1 If you have lived in Pensacola and love to swim, chances are Dotty Whitcomb met you.

In fact, she may have inspired you.

Whitcomb, 79, probably Pensacola's biggest iconic figure in amateur swimming, died earlier this month after a lengthy battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. A memorial service will be conducted Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church.

Few people tugged hearts like Whitcomb, who moved to Pensacola nearly a half-century ago with her husband, John. He founded Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.

The couple spent their life caring about people.

Whitcomb cared deeply about swimming and its many benefits. She was declared the "Mother of Swimming" in Pensacola, inducted into the Pensacola Sports Association Hall of Fame in 2005. From 1981 until 2005, Whitcomb was the aquatics coordinator at Pensacola Junior College.

Whitcomb is credited with helping high schools start swim programs. She taught swimming at the YMCA. She wrote about swimming once a month for the News Journal. Whitcomb is survived by four children and eight grandchildren.

She was a true leader. Her legacy will be everlasting.

http://www.pnj.com/article/20081125/SPORTS/811250335