Dorothy Woodcock

Mrs. Dorothy Newsam Woodcock passed from this earth on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, in Spartanburg, SC. She was born November 9, 1919, in Jefferson City, MO, where she grew up. She often got into mischief in High School but as she was valedictorian, the nuns that taught her could say little to her. She graduated from Central Missouri State Teachers College and soon moved to work in Washington DC during the war. At a USO dance in 1942, she met a young sergeant, Bernice Woodcock, and after a long correspondence during the war they were married a month after he was discharged in August of 1945. The couple settled in Wilmington where she lived with Bernice and they raised three sons. Dorothy, or Dottie to her friends, often could not be part of an organization or cause without eventually becoming an officer or chief organizer. It did not matter whether it was as a Cub Scout Den mother, president of the Altar Society, PTA member, Bridge Club organizer, president of the Tar Heel Golf Association, Board of Directors for Pine Valley Country Club, or head of the Democratic Women for the 9th Congressional District. Dottie was fiercely loyal to her family and causes. When her oldest son was paralyzed in an accident she drove him to UNCW so he could attend Classes. Mrs. Woodcock had strong opinions and was not shy to let you know what they might be. She did not back down. Once an old priest was about to divert Altar Society money that she and her friends had raised. Dottie confronted him about it and when he refused to restore the money she wrote the Bishop. The priest apologized and treated her with kid gloves after that. In 2005, Mrs. Woodcock moved to Spartanburg, SC to be closer to her family. The move took her away from many of the dear friends she had made in almost 60 years in Wilmington. She will be remembered for her love of life, devotion to her family, and fiery spirit. Mrs. Woodcock is preceded in death by her father, John Newsam and mother, Bessie Noties; her brother, David Newsam; her husband, B. B. Woodcock; and son, David Woodcock. She is survived by her son, Richard and his wife Pat, grandson, John, and granddaughter, Elizabeth of Charlotte, NC; and son, Michael and his wife Julie, and grandson, Anthony of Spartanburg, SC. A graveside service is scheduled for 11:00 AM Saturday, April 6, 2013, in Oakdale Cemetery in Wilmington, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Dorothy Woodcock's name to the disAbility Resource Center, 140 Cinema Drive Ste C, Wilmington, NC 28403 or online at www.drc-cil.org Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dorothy Newsam Woodcock please visit our Sympathy Store.