Dorothy Anne Folsom (nee West), 100, passed away Friday October 21st at home in Mt. Vernon, Il. She was born May 28, 1922, in Jacksonville, IL to DeForest Charles and LaVera Grace (nee Sides) West.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. November 5 at Oakwood Cemetery.
A 1930 graduate of Mt. Vernon High School, Dorothy was highly creative and worked in a variety of media, most recently quilting. During her lifetime, she made more than 50 quilts. She displayed her works at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts as well as the prestigious quilt show in Paducah, KY. She also did wood carving and sculpting. Her innovative gift-wrapping skills landed her a design and promotion job for a Chicago-based ribbon company. During her time there, she gave many presentations at stores and organizations to teach the art of bow-making and gift wrapping. She was a successful traveling salesperson well before women did such things. She also worked for Craig and Craig Attorneys at Law in Mt. Vernon and a Chicago wallpaper company. Outside of work, she treasured her family, genealogy, and was a loyal friend. Dorothy lived her 100 years thoughtfully and to the fullest. She danced all night on V-E Day, loved travel by train when dining cars served first-class food, drove Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago in an Austin Healey, and bought herself a brand new 1964 Mustang Convertible. Dorothy also spent many years working as secretary to the general manager of the Los Angeles Hockey Kings and later as secretary to the general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks. After retiring from the Blackhawk organization in 1987, she returned home to Mt. Vernon.
Dorothy shared her wit and wisdom with her friends and family until the end. She is survived by her niece Holly Seguine (John Hall), great niece Sarah (Sailor) Seguine-Hall (Christie Joyce), great nephew Joseph Seguine-Hall and many cousins including Brenda Malone of Mt. Vernon. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Mary West Johnson of Mt. Vernon and Helen West Seguine of Chicago. The quality of her life was enhanced by the reliable care she received from LeeAnn Ford.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.