Beloved Aunt, Godmother & Friend to Many
Sept. 8, 1913 ~ Nov. 17, 2011
Survived by beloved brother, Kenneth Newcomb; nieces, Janet (Craig) Spatafore, Cheryl (Jeff) Howard and Joanne (Bob) Jirak; grand nieces and nephews, David (Susie) Spatafore, Jeffrey (Katie) Spatafore, Michael (Sarah) Howard, Laura Howard, Jennifer (Ryan) Keenan, Kimberly (Bob) Ganzel and Daniel Jirak; great grand nieces and nephews, George and Henry Ganzel, Elise Keenan and Lucy Spatafore. Also survived by special friends, Geoffrey Sauser and son, Robb, Rebecca (James) Christopherson, Ben (Erika) Christopherson, Isak, Bryn and Luke, Amy (Brandon) Merrill. Preceded in death by sister-in-law, Evelyn Newcomb. Dorothy was a godmother to 17 children from many cultures. She attended business college and began her career with the Army Corps of Engineers. She worked for 21 years in the offices of the CIA in Washington, DC and Minneapolis. After retiring from the CIA, she worked for the State of MN under Robert Bruininks, former dean at the U of M. Following her formal retirement from government, she worked with Cherokee State Bank, planning and leading trips for its customers. Dorothy's life was devoted to helping others. She volunteered for and donated to many people and organizations. She served on the boards of the St. Paul Area Council of Churches, Neighborhood House, and was one of the co-founders of La Clinica, a neighborhood medical clinic. Dorothy was voted West Side Citizen Organization Citizen of the year in 1999. She was a dedicated member and volunteer of Ascension Episcopal Church on the West Side. Dorothy tutored students at Cherokee Heights Elementary School and for many years served as a companion for an adult with special needs. A master gardener and enthusiastic garden club member, she helped plant and maintain the community garden on the south end of the St. Paul High Bridge. She traveled to many corners of the world, always eager to learn about other cultures, and developed many dear friends in the Native American, Hmong and Nigerian communities. Dorothy was viewed as the beloved matriarch of her neighborhood. She will be truly missed by all! Funeral service 11 AM Wednesday, 11/23/11 at EPIPHANY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1636 Van Buren Ave., St. Paul. Visitation 1 hour prior to service. Interment Acacia Park Cemetery.
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