Dorothy Gugelman

Gugelman, Dorothy
79, of Prescott, AZ passed away on October 23, 2010 at Sundale Nursing Home in Morgantown, WV. During the last three years of her life, she suffered from dementia and was under the care of her husband, William Gugelman, and then her son, Alan Collins, and care-giver, Karen Baird, before moving into Sundale in September of 2010. Dorothy was born on March 13, 1931 in Providence, RI, daughter of George and Adeline Wood. She graduated from Bates College of Lewiston, Maine in 1952. After marrying Glendon Collins, she moved out west to New Mexico, California, and finally settling in Phoenix, AZ. She raised two sons and found employment teaching while living in California. After a divorce in 1976, she married William Gugelman in 1977. She first taught at the California School of the Deaf in Riverside, CA and was later a kindergarten teacher in the Madison School District for 24 years. She was an innovative teacher who introduced personal computers and simple computer programs to her classroom in 1982. Dorothy's love of children and dedication to the job gave every child an excellent start to their public education experience. She was a treasured colleague and acted as mentor to younger teachers. Each year after closing down school in June, she and Bill would pack their bags and head to their condo in Waikiki, Hawaii. She enjoyed traveling, crocheting, reading and watching mysteries, writing poems, music and dance, southwestern art, and cats (particularly Siamese). After her retirement in 1991, she and Bill moved to Prescott, AZ where she was active in the Prescott Fine Arts League, volunteered at the Veteran's Hospital, and served as a volunteer reading aide at Miller Valley Elementary School. She became a proud member of the General George Crook Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution in 2005. She is survived by her spouse of 33 years, William Gugelman of Prescott, AZ; sons Alan Collins of Morgantown, WV and Gary Collins of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren Nathaniel Collins and Theresa Collins of Morgantown, WV; brother George C. Wood, nieces Kathy McSherry and Susan Labonne, all of Ramsey, MN; nephew David Wood of Blaine, MN; and special adopted granddaughter Kelly McSherry of Ramsey, MN. She was preceded in death by her parents and infant daughter Virginia. A luncheon celebration of her life is planned for Tuesday November 23, 2010 from 12:30 to 3 pm at the Beatitudes campus, 1610 W. Glendale. Please contact ARCWVU@gmail.com for more information. Condolences and memories of her life can be shared on facebook, please search for Dorothy Gugelman. In memory of her dedication to public education, an endowment fund has been established in her name. The purpose of this fund is to provide for field trips and classroom supplies in order to enhance the educational experiences of pre-school and kindergarten students at Madison Simis Elementary School. Contributions to this fund can be sent to: Madison Education Foundation - Dorothy Gugelman Memorial Fund, 5601 N 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016.