Dorothy Stewart Mitchell "Topsy" Kirkland

DOROTHY STEWART MITCHELL KIRKLAND, better known as "Topsy," 90, passed away on March 1, 2010. Topsy was born on Oct. 31, 1919, in Yatesville, GA, to James Corbett ("Doc") Mitchell and Velma Stewart Mitchell. In the 1920's the family moved to Sanford, FL, where her father became business manager of The Sanford Herald newspaper and her mother was a teacher and principal at Southside Elementary School for 43 years. After graduation from Seminole High School in Sanford, Topsy attended Florida State College for Women (now Florida State University). She graduated in 1941 with a Bachelors degree in English and Elementary Education. Later she received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Rollins College. Topsy taught elementary school for two years in Lake County. There she met Thomas Emmett Kirkland, whom she married in Sanford in 1943. The couple moved to Orlando in 1947. Topsy taught at Concord Park and Mollie Ray Elementary Schools, while Tom practiced law and served as the municipal judge of Orlando. In 1972 he was appointed to the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, where he was serving as chief judge at the time of his death in 1982. As a youth Topsy enjoyed attending Laurel Falls summer camp in Clayton, GA, where she excelled at horseback riding and marksmanship. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority at FSCW, serving as president her senior year. She continued to be active in sorority alumni affairs for more than 60 years, including enjoying annual snook-fishing expeditions in Boca Grande with her sorority sisters. Throughout their marriage, Topsy and Tom Kirkland shared a love of reading, history, world travel, bridge, tennis, and ballroom dancing. As a member of the Junior League, Topsy participated in local drama productions. She also helped to establish the Orlando Day Nursery for the benefit of young working women. Topsy was a 50-plus year member of College Park United Methodist Church and a long-time member of The League of Women Voters, The Rosalind Club, The Country Club of Orlando, and The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an organization for key women educators. In 1999 she earned the distinction of Life Master in tournament duplicate bridge and in 2006 attained the level of Bronze Life Master. She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Thomas E. Kirkland, and is survived by four children, Judge Thomas R. Kirkland (Gloria) of Orlando, Joan Stewart Kirkland Thomes Herter (Tom) of Naples, Marcia Kirkland of Austin, TX, and Elizabeth Kirkland Evander (Kerry) of Indialantic; nine grandchildren, Robin Thomes (Kurt Lee) of Sarasota, Christopher Thomes (Kim) of Panama City, Thomas Mitchell Kirkland of Orlando, Christina Kirkland Adams (Tony) of Land O' Lakes, Brad Kirkland of Orlando, Donna Evander Maneker (Steve) of Denver, CO, Brian Corbett Evander of Gainesville, David Stewart Evander of Orlando, and Sarah Evander of Indialantic; and four great-grandchildren, Campbell Lee of Sarasota, Reilly Thomes of Panama City, Cailan Adams of Land O' Lakes, and Colin Adams of Land O' Lakes. A memorial service in celebration of Topsy's life will be held at College Park United Methodist Church, 644 W. Princeton St., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. The family will greet guests in the narthex of the church 30 minutes prior to the service and at a reception in the Wesley Fellowship Hall after the service. The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of The Comforter, 605 Montgomery Rd., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Arrangements entrusted to WOODLAWN MEMORIAL PARK & FUNERAL HOME, www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com.