Dorothy Mae McGregor
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Dorothy Mae McGregor was born December 7, 1918 in Lawrence, Kansas, the daughter of Oscar and Ursula Nuffer. She graduated from Liberty Memorial High School in 1936. She married Ronald L. McGregor February 13, 1942. Dorothy passed away on July 16, 2015 at Neuvant House surrounded by family.
Dorothy graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in Emporia in 1945 and earned her Master’s Degree from Kansas University in 1953.
Dorothy, a career educator, taught two years at Colyer School and two years at Franklin School, both rural elementary schools. She served 40 years with the Lawrence Public Schools, 20 years as an elementary classroom teacher and 20 years as the district reading coordinator. Dorothy was selected to receive the prestigious Kansas Master Teacher Award in 1969 and was inducted into the Kansas Teacher Hall of Fame in 1989.
Dorothy retired in 1985 but did not quit serving. After retirement, she volunteered at Audio-Reader for 20 years.
She is survived by her brother, Harold Nuffer, Plymouth, CA; sister Shirley Frasier and husband Herb, Haviland, KS; brother Warren Nuffer and wife Virginia, Sun City, AZ; sister Grace Wheeler and husband Lewis, Hugoton, KS; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Ron, her parents, her stepmother Sophia Nuffer, her sister Evelyn Ruth Breithaupt and brother-in-law Donald Breithaupt, her sister-in-law Monica Nuffer and a nephew Douglas Breithaupt.
A memorial service will be held at Warren McElwain Mortuary on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 2 p.m. Friends may greet the family the hour prior to the service. Memorial gifts can be made to Audio-Reader and Douglas County Visiting Nurses sent c/o the funeral home. Private inurnment will be at Pioneer Cemetery at a later date.
Dorothy was both a mentor and a beloved friend. I will miss our lively conversations, laughter about the absurdities of life, and common interests in good books and great drinks. Her last Christmas gift was a mug that said, “Girlfriends – Right Up There With Booze And Shopping.” Rest in Peace, my dear friend. You were an absolute treasure!
After sharing an office with Dorothy in USD #497 for 12 years, she became like a second mother to me, also a cherished friend, a sounding board (aka therapist), a mentor for good literature, and a fellow Christian seeking faithfulness. She strived to know every detail of my life and would keep track of my family, travels, and professional career like no one else! Early each morning for over a decade, this tiny lady worked out at Trailridge Athletic Center (Genesis) and LJW documented her 90th birthday celebration there! Ron and Dorothy shared an amazing life together and they are back together in peace and contentment. My precious friend, I will deeply miss you and your treasured friendship. Hugs and love!
My beloved 6th grade teacher who encouraged me to read.I have been many places by turning those pages. R.I.P Mrs. McGregor.Delores Ortega
My most memorable times spent with Dorothy were the times that the four of us, Dorothy, Mary Doud, Jayne Polcyn, and myself would travel together to Wichita each year for the Kansas State Teacher’s Convention. These were times spent in laughter, sharing, learning, and ALWAYS working in a fun shopping adventure!
I’ve always had the utmost respect for Dorothy for her knowledge of literature, her dedication to education, and her willingness to share that knowledge to help others become good educators.
Rest in peace to a dear and wonderful lady!
Mrs McGregor was my sixth grade teacher at New York school . I have so many great memories of being in her class. She was my favorite teacher. I pray her soul rest in peace. She was a great women.
Dorothy was an inspiration to all of us. Her grace, pride, enthusiasm for life and committment to Lawrence, KU and Lawrence Memorial Hospital was very evident. In recent years after Ron’s passing she missed his companionship but carried on bravely. Thanks to her relatives and close friend Sheryle D’Amico they worked hard to close that gap. She will be missed by all her knew her. Thank you Dorothy for being you.
Dorothy was always a light to follow and to cheer those of us who were fortunate enough to be in her beam. She was a delightful lady and a strong advocate for children. How blessed we were to have her to admire and try to emulate.
Mary Gordon
Dorothy was a true inspiration to all that came and went at the Lawrence Athletic Center. I cherished the times we were there at the same time and we stopped for a few minutes to talk about “life.” She was so full of love, life, and happiness but oh such a go getter in the gym and she always looked so perfect during her workouts! I still have a picture of her from the Lawrence Journal World working out and motivating others. I will truly miss her presence and her beautiful smile. Dorothy, I promise to carry on your legacy at our gym:)
Stephanie
This was an adorable post! And I’m a big fan of nicknames. When I was little, mine was Chatterbox from my dad and Lulu from my mom. My sis called me Jessiki. Today, my honey calls me Sweetie Bean when I’m happy and Grumpy Pumpkin when I ha1#7&e82vn;t eaten for awhile. He’s Honeypot Babykins and Mr. Pouty Pants. I know, we’re kind of disgusting. So, WWBC partner, what should our nicknames be? LOL