Dorothy Petitt

September 27, 1923 - December 7, 2022

Dorothy J. Petitt, Ph.D. of Mill Valley, California passed away on December 7, 2022 after a brief illness at MarinHealth Medical Center in Greenbrae, California, at the age of 99. Born in Fairmont, Minnesota, Dorothy was the daughter of Robert and Letha (King) Petitt. She grew up in Mason City, Iowa, where she attended elementary and secondary schools and junior college.

She received a B.S. with high distinction from the University of Minnesota in 1945, taught high school English in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Fergus Falls, Minnesota, then earned an M.A. degree in English Education from the University of Minnesota in 1949. For two years, Dorothy had the incredible opportunity to be teaching assistant to Dr. Dora V. Smith, a leader in her field in the United States who treated Dorothy like a colleague. Dorothy taught next in Mt. Vernon, New York and McClymonds High School in Oakland, California. Only a chance to teach Dr. Smith’s high school courses while she was on sabbatical lured Dorothy away from her position in Oakland. After passing the Ph.D. preliminary exam, a chance to teach at San Francisco State University (then San Francisco State College) brought Dorothy back to California in 1957, earning her Ph.D. in 1961. She taught at San Francisco State in the English Department until 1993, teaching future teachers of English. Dorothy authored several articles, mainly for the English Journal, and edited two texts, Poems to Enjoy and Poems to Remember. She also co-edited an English as a Second Language reader, At the Door. She was grateful to the University of Minnesota, which gave her the education that made her career possible.

In her retirement, Dorothy volunteered extensively in her community and moved to The Redwoods in Mill Valley, where she was active in many groups, and was an active member of the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club. Dorothy’s enthusiasm for lifelong learning and creativity brought great joy to her loving family and friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Robert M. Petitt, and her sister, Joy Dahlberg. She is survived by her sister, Lois Leurean DeMersseman, and by several nieces and nephews. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Redwoods Scholarship Fund.