Dottie Richards

Dottie Richards is a fictional character on the sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show. She was played by veteran actress Nanette Fabray.

Mary's mother
Dottie was married to Walter Richards and was the mother of Mary Richards. She was the typical mother of the 1970s in that she was usually at home and was often supportive of her husband. She had a wonderful relationship with her only child, and wasn't always worrying needlessly about her, as Walter was often doing.

Her first appearance was in 1972, two years after Mary had left her former boyfriend, and moved to Minneapolis. She and Walter came by to see how she was doing. She was successful and had a job. Presumably, Dottie still lives in Roseburg, but still keeps in touch with Mary, who now has a daughter, Rose.