Dorothy Helen Flood
PHOENIX – Dorothy Helen Flood, 94, died on December 3, 2021. She was born in Chicago. While working as a nurse at Little Company of Mary Hospital she married Dr. Frank Flood. They moved around the country several times for the U.S. Public Health Service including 2 years in Genoa, Italy, facilitating extensive travel through Europe. In 1964, they settled in Phoenix. After raising 3 children she continued an active life and embarked on a career as an antique dealer, allowing her to meet new people, travel, and increase her knowledge of history and all kinds of art objects.
She enjoyed gardening; roses were a specialty. For 50+ years she relished meetings with friends, her bridge group, lunch bunch, and antique dealer association. She played bridge monthly with a group of 8 since 1969. She did the crossword puzzle daily; the kids filled in gaps at the end of the day.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing, needlepoint, shopping, traveling, reading, dining out anywhere, and boat trips around Europe. A favorite activity was decorating the house and hosting friends and family to celebrate any event. The house was decorated for every holiday and her table settings were always festive, with usually a favor for guests.
She was a doer. Despite limitations from chronic lung disease in the last decade of her life, she was always on the go. Her children would tell her they needed a tracking device to know where she was. Never embracing the digital era Dorothy preferred chatting in person or on the phone and sending cards. Nothing slowed her down or dampened her optimistic spirit and generosity.
Dorothy loved sports- all sports. She was quite knowledgeable on team and player performances. Favorites were the Chicago Bears, Notre Dame, and the Green Bay Packers. She wore jerseys for Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Devin Booker. She will be buried in her Tom Brady shirt.
Dorothy was a parishioner at St. Francis Xavier. She is survived by her Chicago brother Don Ford, and in Phoenix by son Tim, and daughters Terry and Amy (Larry West). She was preceded in death by her husband Frank in 2000.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to one of her favorite Valley charities, St. Joseph the Worker which helps individuals find employment. (sjwjobs.org 1125 W Jackson, Phoenix, AZ 85007). Condolences may be expressed at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com.