Dorothy Woodford

WOODFORD - Dorothy Keith Woodford, most recently of Palatine, IL, died February 19, 2010. She was 96 years old. Dorothy was born in Sunderland, England on June 22, 1913. Her family emigrated to the United States in 1927. She was a graduate of Ottawa Hills High School (Class of 1930), Grand Rapids Junior College, Western Michigan College and completed graduate work at the University of Michigan. Dorothy began her career in Albion, Michigan teaching elementary school in 1935. She then taught in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In January 1943 she sailed with the Red Cross to Mostaganem, Algeria. She then followed the Fifth Army forward into Italy where she served in the first tent forward. She helped organize the first Red Cross Club in Europe. Dorothy became the first woman casualty in WWII from Grand Rapids when during an air raid she was taking flak and jumped into a 40-foot ditch. The result was a broken leg and arm and an eventual trip home to the United States. She served with the Red Cross until 1951 as the Junior Red Cross Director of Kent County and with the Kent County Defense Council. In 1951 she answered an ad in a Chicago newspaper offering travel and excitement. After a short while in Chicago she was sent to Paris, France by Olson Travel Organization as the Paris Representative, where she remained for 40 years. In this capacity she entertained many foreign and domestic dignitaries and travelers. She was also a teacher at the American School in Paris, through which she came into contact with many interesting people. Dorothy became the English tutor for Mme Claude Pompidou, the wife of France's President, Georges Pompidou, with whom she remained long-time friends. On December 13, 1973 she was honored by the French Government and received from the French Government "l'ordre national du Merite". Dorothy returned to the United States in 1990 and settled in Bellevue, Washington outside of Seattle. Passionate about learning, especially current events, world affairs and history, she kept busy by attending community education classes in Bellevue. Two years ago Dorothy moved to Palatine, Illinois. Dorothy was a long-time patron of the arts and a member of the Cercle de L'Union Interalliée. She was also a member of the French Society of Michigan. She entertained friends and family with her amazing life stories, including her travels around the world and the occasions when she met General George Patton, Queen Elizabeth II and the Dalai Lama. Dorothy was preceded in death by her father, George M. Woodford; mother, Elizabeth Woodford; brother, George Woodford; sister, Caroline Hayes; brother-in-law, Kenneth T. Hayes and nephew, Ronald Hayes. Surviving are her sister-in-law, Barbara Woodford, nephews, Duncan (Phyllis) Woodford, Jim Woodford, Pat (Lori) Hayes, and Ken (Kerrie) Hayes, Jr., niece, Jain Hayes Petersen, great nieces, Kimberly Petersen (Brian Kristofic), Margaret Hayes and Dusty Woodford; and grand nephews, James Woodford, Brian Petersen, Andrew Petersen, Ryan (Carolyn) Counterman and Aron Counterman. A private memorial service has been held. Donations may be made in Dorothy's memory to the American Red Cross, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Arrangements by Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 847-253-5423.