Dorothy Hudson "Doll" Biedenharn

1921 - 2017

Dorothy "Doll" Hudson Biedenharn

Funeral services for Doll Hudson Biedenharn will be held on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at 11:00 AM, at Grace Episcopal Church, 405 Glenmar St. in Monroe, LA with Father Richard Norman and Father Mark Bleakley officiating. Visitation will be at 9:30 AM in Kilbourne Hall preceding the services. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery on South Grand Street under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home of Monroe.

Doll Biedenharn was born November 30, 1921, in Monroe, LA and passed away May 12, 2017, in Monroe. Doll was the former President of Hudson, Inc. She was a member of All Saints Anglican Church and a former parishioner of Grace Episcopal Church. She was a member of the National Society of Colonial Dames of America and a founding member of The Bridge Club, which formed in 1946 and continued weekly for over 65 years. Doll graduated from Neville High School at the age of 16 and attended Wellesley College (Class of 1942). Her education at Wellesley, together with her plan to become a neurosurgeon, was interrupted when she met Henry A. Biedenharn, Jr. at a rooftop dance at the Penn Hotel. She reportedly said, "That's the man I'm going to marry, I just have to figure out how to get him to ask me." She did and he did and on August 30, 1940, they were married. Henry was a flight instructor in the Navy and they traveled together to various station assignments, Doll bearing two children along the way. Two more children were born of their union after returning to Monroe.

Doll's first love was her family and she was involved in all aspects of raising and caring for her four children. She was Den Mother for the Cub and Boy Scout troops and was active in 7th grade Fun Club, a program providing kids wholesome entertainment to keep them out of trouble. Jody was required to take piano lessons and all children were required to take proper dance instruction. "Improper" dance instruction included her jitterbug lessons in the living room.

Her love extended to grandchildren and great grandchildren. Much to Henry's annoyance, she would host them once a week for fried chicken, swimming in the summer, and Cokes. What became known as "Grammy Day" was legendary fun and it created countless loving and lasting memories for all of the children. Murray was tasked with rescuing Henry from the weekly chaos.

Doll was Henry's life-long soul mate. They spent countless days hunting, fishing and traveling together. In their later years you would see them driving to Mexico after waterfowl season in search of a new bass lake. Their fishing adventures with long-time friends took them as far south as Guadalajara, Mexico, as far west as the Pacific coast of Mexico, as far east as the Florida everglades and mangroves, and as far north as Alaska. They were inseparable for 70 years and their children are the beneficiaries of their total love for each other.

Doll's parents, Edward Murray Hudson and Mary Faulk Hudson, her brother, Captain F.G. Hudson, III, and her husband, Henry A. Biedenharn, Jr., predeceased her.

She is survived by her children, Henry A. Biedenharn, III and wife, Kathy, Jody B. Johnston and husband, Bishop, Joseph A. Biedenharn, II and wife, Jamie, and F. Murray Biedenharn and wife, Kathy. Her grandchildren, Keith H. Beidenharn, Rebecca B. Cressy, Aron B. Coates, Elizabeth J. Guerriero, Doll J. Vines, Kathy J. Patrick, Jodi J. Lyle, James H. Biedenharn, Joseph A. Biedenharn, III, Jamie B. Widener, Frederick M. Biedenharn, Jr., Murray Hudson Biedenharn and step-grandson, Tony Pedigo, also survive her, as well as 20 great grandchildren, a step-great grandchild and great-great grandchild due in July.

Pallbearers will be Keith Biedenharn, James Biedenharn, Joe Biedenharn, Hudson Biedenharn, Keith Henry Biedenharn, Jr. and Alex Biedenharn.

The family would like to acknowledge Doll's long-time employee, Carolyn Buie. Carolyn's dedication to providing Mother with trusted care and friendship for 17 years is deeply appreciated by all of us. The grandchildren and great grandchildren would also like to add a special thank you to Carolyn for all of the Grammy Day fried chicken, rice and gravy, green beans, rolls, pie and the memories.

Special thanks to Dr. Greg Green and St. Joseph's Hospice for their caring treatment, counsel, and guidance.

Finally, a very, very special thank you to Mother's beloved granddaughter, Doll Vines. Doll provided Mother solace during Henry's decline and, just as she did with Henry, gave exceptional medical care and comfort to Mother. She was always there for both of them and the family was blessed to have her expertise and compassionate care during such times.

Any memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com

Mulhearn Funeral Home

Sterlington Road

Monroe, LA