Dorothy Joy Williams Elford

Dorothy and I met when I transferred in during my junior year. We were in home room together and dated our Senior year. She laughed at my jokes, accepted my friends, ignored my indiscretions and inspired me to be a better person. I took her for granted. We went our separate ways after graduation, started careers - her as a nurse and hospital administrator, me as an attorney - married other people, had kids and grandkids. We stayed in touch off and on mostly through email, text and an occasional phone call. As we reminisced about trips to Surfside, nights at old Market Square, Senior Prom in the mall, and coming of age in the 70’s, I was able to tell her how much she meant to me. I loved her then. Still do.

Dorothy passed away on December 18, 2021, 40 minutes after her 69th birthday. leaving a wonderfully talented son that was the center of her life, a granddaughter that looks so much like her that it breaks my heart, a beautiful grandson, … and a smaller, darker, colder world without her light and love.