In Memory Of
Dorothy J. Crawford
1928
2020
Dorothy J. Crawford
January 3, 1928 — December 17, 2020
Dorothy J. Crawford, 92, of Topeka, passed away Thursday, December 17, 2020. Dottie was born January 3, 1928, in Schenectady, New York, to Wallace and Dorothy (MacIvor) James. She graduated from Grover Cleveland High School, Caldwell, New Jersey, in 1945. Dottie graduated from Kansas University in May of 1949 with a degree in Journalism. She later attended Washburn University to become certified to teach. On December 22, 1948, Dottie married James S. Crawford at Danforth Chapel on KU campus. Jim died on February 16, 1994.
Dottie is survived by daughter, Debbie (Roger Wood) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and sons Rod (Anne) and Scott (Donna) of Topeka. She was Grandmother to Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Chad Corcoran of Salina, Active Air Force Master Sergeant Damon of Anchorage, Alaska (Active Air Force Staff Sergeant Ashley of San Antonio, Texas), and Alex (Maggie) of Shawnee, Kansas. She was Grandma Kitty to Aaron (Jennifer Somers) of Topeka, Dr. Sally Crawford-Shepherd (Neil) of Loughborough, England, and Wendy (James Myers) of King City, California. Dottie had twin great-granddaughters, Mackenzie and Annabelle of Panama City, Florida. She is also survived by sister Alberta "Bertie" Daw, Kansas City, Missouri, and brothers Don (Casey) James of Powell Butte, Oregon and Dr. Dave (Chris) Hibbard of Boulder, Colorado.
Dottie worked in high school as a tech on the assembly line at RCA making 12SK7GT/G radio tubes. She taught preschool from 1968-1990 at Countryside Methodist Nursery School and was known as the Sticker Lady. Many little lives were influenced by her creative and caring approach of teaching.
Dottie's life was greatly influenced by having polio when she was 6 years old. As a result she was involved in many physical activities her whole life. She participated in aerobics, Yoga, Tai Chi, clogging, belly dancing, SMS exercise class, tennis, bowling, and golf. Dottie was often heard saying, "If you don't move it you're going to loose it". She was pictured in the newspaper as the one of the oldest member playing tennis at age 88. She quit her SMS exercise class when she moved to Assisted Living at Lexington Park in August of 2020.
Dottie loved gardening and had a beautiful yard. She was involved in Potpourri Study Group and the Retired Teachers of Countryside Nursery School and really cherished the time she spent with these amazing women. She volunteered at many places including church, museums, Tinman Triathlon, Rescue Mission, and was a reading volunteer for 20 years for students with special needs. She was a life-long learner, attended many Osher programs, an avid reader, and traveled with her sister and friends. Dottie was gracious, intelligent, and had a great sense of humor. She was blessed with a wonderful and fulfilling life.
Family services will be on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church. Service will be live streamed at fpctopeka.org website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612 or for breast cancer to Susan G. Komen, PO Box 98060, Washington DC, 20090-8060.
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.
Dottie is survived by daughter, Debbie (Roger Wood) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and sons Rod (Anne) and Scott (Donna) of Topeka. She was Grandmother to Retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Chad Corcoran of Salina, Active Air Force Master Sergeant Damon of Anchorage, Alaska (Active Air Force Staff Sergeant Ashley of San Antonio, Texas), and Alex (Maggie) of Shawnee, Kansas. She was Grandma Kitty to Aaron (Jennifer Somers) of Topeka, Dr. Sally Crawford-Shepherd (Neil) of Loughborough, England, and Wendy (James Myers) of King City, California. Dottie had twin great-granddaughters, Mackenzie and Annabelle of Panama City, Florida. She is also survived by sister Alberta "Bertie" Daw, Kansas City, Missouri, and brothers Don (Casey) James of Powell Butte, Oregon and Dr. Dave (Chris) Hibbard of Boulder, Colorado.
Dottie worked in high school as a tech on the assembly line at RCA making 12SK7GT/G radio tubes. She taught preschool from 1968-1990 at Countryside Methodist Nursery School and was known as the Sticker Lady. Many little lives were influenced by her creative and caring approach of teaching.
Dottie's life was greatly influenced by having polio when she was 6 years old. As a result she was involved in many physical activities her whole life. She participated in aerobics, Yoga, Tai Chi, clogging, belly dancing, SMS exercise class, tennis, bowling, and golf. Dottie was often heard saying, "If you don't move it you're going to loose it". She was pictured in the newspaper as the one of the oldest member playing tennis at age 88. She quit her SMS exercise class when she moved to Assisted Living at Lexington Park in August of 2020.
Dottie loved gardening and had a beautiful yard. She was involved in Potpourri Study Group and the Retired Teachers of Countryside Nursery School and really cherished the time she spent with these amazing women. She volunteered at many places including church, museums, Tinman Triathlon, Rescue Mission, and was a reading volunteer for 20 years for students with special needs. She was a life-long learner, attended many Osher programs, an avid reader, and traveled with her sister and friends. Dottie was gracious, intelligent, and had a great sense of humor. She was blessed with a wonderful and fulfilling life.
Family services will be on Thursday, December 31, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church. Service will be live streamed at fpctopeka.org website.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison Street, Topeka, KS 66612 or for breast cancer to Susan G. Komen, PO Box 98060, Washington DC, 20090-8060.
To leave a message for her family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy J. Crawford, please visit our flower store.
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