Helen Dobson, 84, of Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 5, 2014.
She is survived by her sister, Lucia T. Morison; brother, H H Tearse, Jr.; daughter, Linda M. Dobson; son David T. Dobson (Adeline); and grandson William Alexander Dobson.
She was preceded in death by her husband William A. Dobson, and her parents Harold H. and Katharine S. Tearse.
Dobson was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and she attended Northrop Collegiate School and graduated from Westover School in Middlebury, Conn. She attended Finch College in New York City, N.Y., and Florida Community College later in life.
Over the years she was a volunteer for the Community Chest of Hennepin County, the Red Cross Sister Kenny Institute, St. Barnabas Hospital Jr. Women’s Board, Princeton Ballet Society, Visiting Nurses Assoc., the Cummer Gallery of Art in Jacksonville, and the educational foundation of St. John’s County. She was also a dedicated mentor in the Beachland School of Vero Beach.
Dobson was a lover and supporter of the arts instilling this same love in her children. She loved working with clay and especially loved sculpting in wax and bronzing final pieces. She enjoyed travel and different cultures. She had the fortune to live in a variety of places notably Minneapolis and Wayzata, Minn., Princeton, N.J., Paris, France, and Dusseldorf, Germany, and Vero Beach.
She will be remembered for that special sparkle in her eyes. It was a window into her heart and soul drawing everyone in from local merchants to the highest ranking foreign bank executive. Her spirit captivated everyone.
Dobson fought a long battle with breast cancer first diagnosed in 1993 and again in 2009. Throughout she remained positive, never wanting to complain. She reached out to others along her journey focusing not on her own ailment or discomfort but on making connections with others. She was admired and respected by all who encountered her during this time.
The family is planning a Memorial Service later in the spring in Florida. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Children’s Home Society of Minneapolis, Minn., or any Humane Society.
