Dorothy McGhee
Dear Friends,
It brings me great sadness to be sending you this email about the passing of our beloved friend, parent, mother, grandmother, and community leader, Ms. Dorothy McGhee. As you may have already heard about her tragic death in the news, Ms. McGhee left us doing something she was passionate about – mentoring and fostering our young people. I understand her body simply could not handle the verbal and physical altercation that ensued with one of the young people she was helping. Dorothy leaves behind her pride and joy, her two boys with whom she made sure graduated from high school and entered into college; along with her family. One son is a college senior and one is a sophomore. Anyone who knew Ms. McGhee would know that her priority was seeing her sons graduate from college. In addition, Dorothy was an active parent advocate involved with Grand Boulevard Federation’s Peer Parent Education Network, Positive Youth Development, CeaseFire, and Education to Success programs. She was active with her block club; CAPS meetings; working groups of many issues; spearheaded the block’s community garden; took part in creating safe neighborhoods; participated on a State foster care board; advocated for restorative justice practices; served as an active parent in all of her children’s and foster children’s schools; interviewed many-a-times concerning parent involvement and education; participated in workshops and conferences, often as a panelist; and sought out and took advantage of many community programs and organizations. All that among so many other hats and good fights she took on in the name of a safe, fair, and just community and schools; and she did it so well – articulate and on point. Some of the schools she was associated with via her children/foster children include the University of Chicago Charter Schools, Betty Shabazz Charter Schools, Woodson, Mollison, and John Hope if not more.
I personally am so grateful to have known Dorothy. As she was to many others, she was my mentor – wise, passionate, and the truest of true leaders. The parents she worked alongside of through PPEN also put together some telling thoughts about Dorothy (see attached picture). Thank you to those who have been keeping me abreast, sharing memories of her, and helping her family through this.
In honor of Dorothy’s passing, please see the following and share this with others who knew her and of her, especially those without emails and those who have moved on from prior jobs.
Friday, April 4 from 4-8 PM
First Visitation @ Graham Funeral Directors
2701 W. 63rd Street Chicago, IL 60629 (773) 240-4700
Saturday, April 5
Second Visitation and Funeral @ Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church
4543 S Princeton Ave,
Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 373-8536
Visitation 9-10 AM
Service 10-11 AM
Repast @ Greater Harvest Baptist Church
5141 S State St, Chicago, IL 60609 (773) 924-7766
Immediately following the funeral (11:30 AM/12 PM)
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation that would help the family and friends with funeral expenses as well as her boys as they seek to complete their mother’s dream of graduating from college. Should you wish to make a contribution via check, at her sons’ request and a close friend of their mother’s, please make checks payable to: Sharon Williams (memo: Dorothy McGhee memorial).
