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.
Karen Curosh
Amy and all the family,
Thinking of you with sympathy. May all your wonderful memories bring you peace.
Sincerely,
Karen Curosh
Judi Van Houten
Sending sympathy and love. Dorothy was a remarkable woman who approached life with vigor and zest! She was well loved and will be much missed by all. Wishing your family grace, peace and a gentle journey in the weeks and months ahead.
Best,
Judi Van Houten
Mary Ann & Hugo Draye
Dear Floods,
We share in your loss and keep you in our hearts and prayers. We are all better for
having Dorothy in our lives. Her legacy in the family will live on. We’re sure by now she
is organizing coffee with loved ones in heaven. May she rest in God’s arms. xoxo
Billye schalk
Dorthy’s. Wonderful family,
Dorthy was so full of life and such a hoot to be around. I will miss her sweet cards, catching up on her friends and family and heroes of people.
She made friends with everyone she met in the salon always asking how her son buddies were doing.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL! She so loved you
Fareed Abou-Haidar
Tim – Please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of you mother. She was so active! Her interests and activities remind me of my late uncle’s wife, who also passed away recently at about the same age. I admired your antiques when I visited you, and now I know where they came from. May she Rest In Peace.
Jennifer Johnston Hayes
To the Flood Family,
Sending love, prayers and condolences to all of you. Growing up next door I have many memories one of them your parents always so kind in letting us swim in your pool, probably where most of us learned how to swim. May memories of your mom bring you peace and comfort. All our love.
Beth Parks
My Aunt Dorothy was my role model, along with her brother, Don, my father. Aunt Dorothy had a joie de vivre that most 30 year olds would find enviable. Her heart was big, always remembering the smallest details about her family and friends. She taught me the value of gift giving, the type that would last for generations. Every gorgeous Wallace silver bell on my Christmas tree was a gift from her and my Uncle Frank. I’ve carried on this tradition with my own children.
I will miss your presence in my life, yet you will live on in my, my children and grand children’s hearts.
Troy Bankord
We have one less angel in our midst today with the loss of my dear Client – and friend – Dorothy Flood. Her home and garden were her sanctuary and boy did she let you know it! Her passion for beauty, tradition, family, cooking and baking, Antiques, FLOWERS and the finer things… I always loved leaving her home knowing that I had made her happy and put a smile on her face. And seldom did I leave without a homemade loaf of bread or a plate of her cookies that she’d made with such excitement. She was a doll and I have grown more than fond of her.
Every time she had a health scare or snafu she would rally, come home, and crack the whip! She was such a little pistol and such a little trooper! If we all could be so resilient!!!
She made an indelible impression on so many around her and she will be greatly missed. Dorothy, thank you for your passion, your love, your smiles, your inspiration and the memories I carry with me. May you Rest In Peace and may you Sing with the Angels, Dear One.
My sincere condolences to you all and may Dorothy’s passing get easier for you with each passing day.