Virginia Richards Dofflemyer - 1920-2012
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Virginia Richards Dofflemyer. Mrs. Dofflemyer passed away on Wednesday night February 22, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While we mourn her passing, it is with joy that we celebrate her life and the many things she did for so many people. In recognition of her contribution to the Albemarle High School family and her community, Mrs. Dofflemyer was named to the inaugural class of the Albemarle High School Alumni Hall of Fame by the Alumni Association in May of 2011.
Mrs. Dofflemyer was one of the most recognized, respected, and loved members of the Albemarle High School faculty for more than 25 years. “Mrs. D” came to Albemarle in 1958 as Choral Music Director, became a Guidance Counselor, and was Director of the Guidance Department for more than two decades. She initiated the American Field Service Foreign Student Program and hosted two exchange students, including Albemarle’s first. She was, also, active in the other areas, serving as Chair of the Governor of Virginia's Commission on Patient Rights in State Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Facilities. She and her husband Alfred were recognized with local, state, and national awards for their work in the field of mental health.
Virginia Dofflemyer was truly a great educator, community leader, and lady. She will be remembered by many as someone who was always there to help others.
Mrs. Dofflemyer was preceded in death by her husband Alfred. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Martha Dofflemyer Baugh Clarke, (AHS ’66) of Loveland, Ohio, and her son, Barry Gray Dofflemyer, (AHS – ’68) of Albemarle County. She was also survived by six grandchildren: Phil Baugh (IL), Mike Baugh (CO), and Sharon Baugh (CA), Todd Dofflemyer (AHS – ’88) (VA), Barton Dofflemyer (AHS - ’92), and Andy Dofflemyer (VA), as well as 12 great grandchildren.
Two funds have been established in her honor by her family. In lieu of flowers, it is their request that donations be made to one of these funds. Both of these opportunities support the passions in her life - her family, students furthering their education, and mental health advocacy and services.
Mrs. Dofflemyer's daughter Martha and her children have established a scholarship to be given annually in Mrs. Dofflemyer's memory to a deserving graduating senior through the Albemarle High School Alumni Association. Additional donations to this scholarship fund can be made by clicking on Scholarship Program and scrolling down to the “Donate” button that is designated for the scholarship given in memory of Mrs. Dofflemyer. You can also mail your check to AHS Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 2775 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901.
The family also encourages contributions in lieu of flowers or in Mrs. Dofflemyer’s memory be sent to Mental Health America of Charlottesville-Albemarle, 953 2nd Street, SE Charlottesville, VA 22902.
A memorial service will be held on March 10, at 3:30 p.m. at the Good Sheppard Lutheran Church, 7701 Kenwood Rd. in Cincinnati, Ohio. An additional memorial service to be held in Charlottesville, Va. is being planned for a future date and an obituary with service details will be posted preceding the Charlottesville service.
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Judith Mawyer (Sweet) (1962)
Dear family,
My husband, Palmer and I were just talking about Mrs. Dofflemyer the other day. He was mentioning how helpful she was to him in which classes to take and changes to make. I have always appreciated how she encouraged me with music and taught me so many things. They are all so important to me now as I have been pianist and choir director at our church for about 12 years.
We are saddend by her death and send our best wishes to the family.
With love to you all,
Judith Mawyer Sweet - class of 1962
Norma Jean Sullivan (Wood) (1961)
To Barry and Martha,
I wa saddened to read about the passing of your Mother. She was without a doubt my favorite teacher at AHS (class of 61). She was a very caring person and I enjoyed the times I ran into her after graduation. I was able to keep tabs on her from Barry and Barton whenever we took our pups into Pampered Pets and the Dogg House for many years.
She was a special lady and always had a smile on her face. She will always have a special place in my memories of AHS.
Norma Jean (Sullivan) Wood
William Bradford (Brad) Mordecai (1961)
Mrs D was one of the few teachers at AHS that I dearly loved and appreciated. She helped me develop my love of music and singing. Even though she was not, at the time, in Guidance counseling she always encouraged me in my courses and to continue my education.
I feel very fortunate that her daughter, Martha, has kept in touch with me to update me on Mrs D. Thank you Martha and know I am praying for you and Barry at this time in your lives.
May Mrs D Rest in Peace and Have Life Eternal. She will remain in my heart forever for the GREAT work she did and performed.
Brad Mordecai
Class of 61
Stan Maupin (1967)
I was only at Albemarle for the last half of my junior and all of my senior year, so I didn't work with Mrs. D. for a long time. But, I did get called to her office twice. The first time was a "you are not living up to your potential" visit and the second was a "you better get your self in gear" visit early in my senior year. Taken together, the visits made me buckle down and study (not much, but enough) and get my grades up just enough to sneak into UVA. Two years later, I left with two degrees. As one of the last on the waiting list to be accepted, I know with certainty that I would never have been accepted if Mrs. Dofflemyer had not, without prompting from anyone, noticed my situation and called me to her office. That is what "guidance" - and leadership - is all about.
My deepest sympathies to her family, and my gratitude for sharing her with thousands of Albemarle graduates.
William Howard Raines (1955)
To: Martha and Barry,
You have our sincere condolences for the loss of your mother. Time will help but I know from experience that nothing will ever fill the void that comes with the loss of your mother.
As so many others have noted in their tribute to Mrs D, I immediately was flooded with images of the woman I knew as a colleague and friend. We didn't always agree but we knew when we didn't we were both fighting for the students in our care. I can see her in my office, on committees, speaking before audiences and socially interacting with students, friends and colleagues. all of these images make me smile because I remember her vitality, enthusiasm, and commitment to education.
We cannot and should not forget her because we and the world is a better place because she was with us.
David Kinney Garth (1961)
I was in Mrs. Dofflemyer's chorus I believe for three years. I still sing some of the songs she taught. She added immensely to my music education, especially as she demonstrated day after day what a compassionate, engaging choir director can accomplish with whatever raw material she's given. I saw how she developed the talent of kids with ability and how she managed artfully the rest of us to produce memorable music. It's good but not surprising to learn of her contributions outside school. She was a great teacher of life.
David K. Garth ('61)
Susan Gentry (Roehmer) (1965)
I knew Mrs. Dofflemyer in her Guidance Counselor role rather than her music one; she was a force to be reckoned with in the best sense of the word. She was practical and knowledgeable and mostly responsible for me choosing Mary Washington College to continue my education. Just as important as all the valuable advice and guidance she provided was her willingness to take a foreign exchange student into her home during our 1964-65 senior year. Silvia Bruno was not only a wonderful "learning experience" for those of us with little contact with folks from another country but also a cherished lifelong friend. Friendship and a good education are both gifts that keep on giving and gifts for which I'm grateful. Thanks, Martha and Barry, for the time we shared your Mom. I know you'll all miss her but have many, many memories of her long and generous life.
Susan (Gentry) Roehmer, '65
Carolin Maria Helfenstein (1980)
My thoughts and prayers are with you all .I remember Mrs.Dofflemyer very well.She was such a help and guided me in picking out a college to attend after graduating from AHS .Mrs Dofflemyer was a class act and she will be missed but never forgotten. RIP Mrs Dofflemyer.
Carolin Helfenstein
Class of 1980
Linda Sartin (Thornton) (1966)
Mrs. Dofflemyer was an educator that saw potential in all students. As a sixteen year old, I lacked self confidence. Mrs. Dofflemyer took me under her wing and helped guide me through some problems I was having adjusting to high school. I went on to become a teacher. Forty-nine years later I still credit her as a person that impacted my life in a very positive way. My sincere condolences to Martha and Barry.
Greta Sydnes (Seland)
In the memory of Virginia Dofflemyer.
I am lucky to have had an "Amercan mother" for 44 years! In 1968 I came to stay with the Dofflemyer family for about four months. Martha had been a guest in my home in Norway for one week the year before, and that started a friendship that is still lasting! Mrs Dofflemyer treated me as a daughte from the first day, and made me feel a member of the family. I called her "Mom" and have done that ever since. I got to know a wonderful family showing so great hospitality, and taking so good care of a young girl far away from home!
During this time "Mom" also gave me the opportunity to attend classes at AHS. I am so thankful for what I learned and the time I spent there. I realize what a highly respected person she was at this school, and I know she meant so much for the students , and her colleges. For me she was "Mom", and a good friend through all the years that have passed since then. It was with great sadness I received the news of her passing, and I will always be grateful for having known this warm and wonderful lady. She was that kind of person whom you had once met, you will always remember!
Love and thanks from Greta Seland, Lyngdal, Norway.