Dorothy D.L. deWolf

DOROTHY D.L. deWOLF

1930-2006

Dorothy "Doda" deWolf, 76, a vice president of Begg Long and Foster, and a much loved doyenne of Washington, died at her son's home in Chevy Chase in the early hours of August 3rd. She finally succumbed to a year-long battle with cancer.

Born Princess Dorota Drucka Lubecka in Poland, she was the daughter of Prince Francis Xavier and Countess Hegwige Oppersdorff. In 1944 the family fled their ancestral home in Baltow, Poland. The eldest of five girls, she then lived in Paris with her family until coming to America in 1952. She began working as an au pair in Wisconsin, sending money home to help her family - one of the many "displaced" persons of World War II. She later worked for Elizabeth Arden, managing its then Flagship store on Connecticut Avenue. What would later become her trademarks: striking elegance, impeccable grace and unfailing calm under pressure won her the admiration of the company's founder, Elizabeth Arden, who included young Doda as a beneficiary in her own will.

She met her adored husband in 1958. Francis Colt deWolf Jr. - known as Colt - was a descendant of Sam Colt, the inventor of the Colt 45 revolver. Colt and Doda were married in 1960 and for the next 34 years became a well-known couple on the Washington Social scene, known for their constant hospitality and infectious vitality.

After her marriage, Doda began her very successful Real Estate career at Begg - now Long and Foster - and has remained there for over 30 years, winning numerous awards in her field. Thoughout her long career, her legendary stamina and sense of honor in all matters relating to business, coupled with her personal warmth and extreme generosity, have deeply touched all those who had the fortune of meeting her - often, initially as her clients, but always later as her friends. Many have said of Doda: "When you work with her, you get more than just a new house. You get a new life..." In her inimitable way she took under her wing many people new to this transient city and gave them her special welcome and embraced them into her extended family. Her thoughts were always for the comfort of others and despite raising her two children, Francis and Lindsay and, for 10 years, steadfastly caring for her ailing husband, she always seemed to have time for everyone. Her incredible spirit has touched the lives of all who have met her and her rapid demise has shocked all who know her.

Although very proud to have become a US citizen and grateful that her children were born in this country, she never lost her love and dedication to Poland. Throughout her life in the United States, she remained very active in Polish affairs, including spearheading a Polish Cultural Center in Washington, and a large scale Polish Aid Campaign during The Cold War. Shortly before her death, the Polish Government was preparing to honor her with a medal for services to her native Country. This will now be awarded to her posthumously.

She was a member of the Chevy Chase Club and a surviving spouse member of the Metropolitan Club and The DACOR Bacon Club. She was a supporter of many charities; however, a devout Catholic, her heart lay with her Church, Immaculate Conception and its adjoining school, which became the focus of her support in the later years of her life.

She is survived by her two children, Lindsay McKell and Francis Colt deWolf III, and her beloved grandchildren, Paige, Lane, Piper, Colt and Maximilian.

Funeral services will be held at Immaculate Conception Church, 8th and N Street, N.W., on Friday, August 11th at 3pm. A wake will be held at the home of her son in Chevy Chase on Thursday, August 10th, from 5 to 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in her name to Immaculate Conception School, 202-316-6873.