Rotary Botanical Gardens History

Rotary Botanical Gardens History Founders and Volunteers: Dolores Dilley

Rotary Botanical Gardens history has always been shaped by people who were willing to jump in before there was much to see. One of those people is Dolores Dilley a behind the scenes force whose steady work helped carry the Gardens from an idea to a thriving community treasure.

Delores Dilley

Dolores first heard about the idea for a public garden while working at Parker Pen. Her supervisor knew Dr. Robert Yahr, a member of Rotary whose vision was to turn an underused space into a botanical garden for the community.

When Dolores heard what Dr. Yahr was planning, she didn’t hesitate.

“I said, I don’t have a green thumb, but I think that’s wonderful and I’d love to help.”

She didn’t join with gardening experience. Instead, she brought something just as essential in those early days: strong office skills, a willingness to pitch in, and a deep commitment to seeing the project succeed.

The keeper of the story: 25 years of board minutes

Early on, Dr. Yahr and others quickly realized how valuable Dolores would be. She began helping with typing and shorthand, then was asked to take on the board minutes.

Dolores went on to record the board’s work for 25 years.

She sat upstairs in what is now the office building, long before the Gardens looked anything like they do today. At that time, there was just the single building and a group of people trying to figure out how to build something out of “nothing” with no developed garden spaces, no visitor center, and no guaranteed support.

“If they didn’t have the volunteers, we never would have made it. That’s the honest truth.”

Volunteers cleared and shaped the land, laid stone, helped with plantings, and supported events and fundraisers. Dolores watched wave after wave of volunteers step up, often long before there was a polished garden to show for their effort. She remembers early fundraisers like walks with stations, pie and ice cream sales, and the plant sale, which would later become a beloved tradition in its own right.

Seeing the Holiday Light Show from the very beginning

Dolores was also here when the Holiday Light Show first began.

Those first years were far from simple. She remembers the “hairy” parts: electrical challenges, strings of lights that would go out and take others with them, and volunteers walking the paths every night to make sure everything stayed lit. Even then, the team stuck with it, improving the show year after year.

Now, the Holiday Light Show welcomes tens of thousands of guests each season and has become the Gardens’ largest fundraiser. Dolores is proud to see what it has become and still attends the show, now as a guest.

Lasting friendships and a lifelong commitment to service

For Dolores, the Gardens weren’t just a place to volunteer, they were a source of friendship and connection. She worked closely with people like Dr. Yahr, former Horticulture Director Mark Dwyer, long-time volunteer and board member Ruth Ann Potts, and early supporter Lynn Yahr (who she sat beside upstairs at their shared computers). Many of those relationships continued long after her formal roles ended.

Her commitment to service has also extended beyond Rotary Botanical Gardens. She recently retired from taking minutes for the Janesville Foundation and continues to volunteer at the Re-Tag-It Thrift Shop supporting Mercy Hospital.

Looking ahead: kids, stories, and staying connected

Even though she no longer works at the Gardens, Dolores still cares deeply about its future. She’s especially encouraged by the children’s programs, seeing them as an important way to build the next generation of supporters. In her words, the kids who visit now are the ones who will “grow up and come back to the Gardens.”

She also appreciates the way the Holiday Light Show has grown, and the ongoing effort to keep the Gardens vibrant and welcoming. Rotary Botanical Gardens still holds a special place in her heart. She follows what’s happening, walks the grounds when she can, and stays in touch with long-time friends like Ruth Ann.

Honoring Dolores’ legacy through Rotary Botanical Gardens History

As we reflect on the Gardens’ history, it’s easy to focus on plants, paths, and buildings. But much of what makes Rotary Botanical Gardens what it is today exists because of people like Dolores Dilley, people who were willing to help when there wasn’t much more than a big idea, a single building, and a lot of unknowns.

She may not have planted many flowers, but she helped plant something just as important: the structure, records, and traditions that allowed the Gardens to grow.

We are honored to recognize Dolores Dilley and thank her for the many quiet, steady years she spent helping build and support Rotary Botanical Gardens behind the scenes.