Dorothy Floyd Reed Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

REED, DOROTHY ELAINE FLOYD Ann Arbor, MI Age 86, died at home on Sunday, September 16, 2012. She was born September 30, 1925, in Olla, LA, the daughter of John Claiborne and Linnie (Gibson) Floyd. A three-time graduate of Louisiana State University with degrees in education and music, Dot taught music in the schools of southwest Louisiana and, later, to military personnel under the auspices of Florida State University. In 1953, she married Edgar Jodoin, a captain in the Air Force, and together they had two daughters. After they returned in 1959 from a two-year assignment in Turkey, he died in a plane crash. Dot and her daughters returned to Baton Rouge, where she served as assistant to LSU’s dean of women. In 1961, she married John W. Reed of the University of Michigan law faculty, who had a daughter and two sons, and she courageously undertook the daunting task of raising their five children, the oldest of whom was age ten. She unified the two families with wisdom and grace. Dot, who loved great music, was a member of First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor and sang in its choir for forty years; and she was an early and active member of the Advisory Committee of the University Musical Society. Among other organizations she supported were the City Club, the Garden Club, and the Faculty Women’s Club. She loved to dance, was quick to break into song, and had an irreverent sense of humor. She was widely appreciated and admired for the creativity and elegance of the dinners and parties she presented, particularly during the Christmas season. Firmly believing that education for women is the means to independence, self-reliance, and the privilege of having choices, Dot persuaded and helped women to pursue higher education. Dot is survived by three daughters, Alison (Jim) Robison of Saline, MI, Victoria (Walt) Peter III of Reston, VA, and Suzanne (Peter) Unger of Pinckney, MI; eight grandchildren, Stephen (Jamie) Robison, Emily Robison, Courtney (Pedro) Marques, Walter Peter IV, Christian (Lora) Peter, Wesley Unger, Elaine Unger, and Mark (Staci) Reed; three great-grandchildren, Olive Peter, Jack Reed, and Kate Reed; her sister-in-law, Esther Floyd of Ann Arbor; her favorite cousin, Mary Purcell of Nashville, TN; and nine nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother and two sisters, and her sons Mark and Randy. A Memorial Service celebrating Dot’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 23, at First Baptist Church, 517 E. Washington St., with the Revs. Paul and Stacey Simpson Duke presiding. A reception at the church will follow the service. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Music Program of First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor or to the Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Neurology Department, University of Michigan. To leave a memory or for directions, please visit www.rbfhsaline.com. Arrangements entrusted to the Robison-Bahnmiller Funeral Home, Saline.

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Dorothy Floyd Reed

September 30, 1925 - September 16, 2012