Dorothy Elaine Wood-Upton

Dorothy Elaine Wood-Upton, 86, of Gainesville died February 12, 2009 at the Renaissance Care Center. She was born November 7, 1922 in St. Paul, Minnesota as the only child of Frederick Monticello Westergreen and Helen Francis Bisiar and married John Allen Thies on June 7, 1941. After the death of her first husband in 1964 she married Tony Wood-Upton who died in 1985.

Dorothy worked as a bank auditor for Rainer Bank in Seattle, Washington and retired in 1987. Following her retirement she traveled and lived in California, Montana, and Arizona before settling in Texas. She became an accomplished water color artist winning both best of show and the Powell Fine Art award at the 2004 NCTC exhibit.

She is survived by children John (Jack) Thies II & wife Jan of Lake Kiowa; James (Jim) Thies of Guerneville, CA; Mary Thompson-Perry & husband Joe of North Aurora, IL; Richard (Rick) Thies of Naperville, IL; William (Bill) Thies & wife Mary of Smith Grove, KY; and Martha Bloch of Chicago, IL. Grandchildren John Thies III & wife Kim of Eden Prairie, MN; Christopher Thies & wife Deidre of Williams Bay, WI; Richard Windle & wife Deborah of St. Charles, IL; Mark Thompson of Laguna Beach, CA; Erik Thompson of North Aurora, IL; Alexis Thies of Naperville, IL; Melanie Bloch of Chicago, IL; Joe Bloch & wife Sophia of US Army, Germany; and Erin MacGilvary & husband David of Plano, TX; Great grandchildren John (Jake) Thies IV, Katherine Thies, Alayna Thies, Caitlin Thies, Brianna Thies, Calvin Windle, Avril Windle, Clancy Windle, Morgan MacGilvary, and Alyson MacGilvary.

Preceded in death by her parents, husbands John Theis and Tony Wood-Upton, and grandson David Thies.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, March 7, 2009 at The First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville and internment of her cremains with her husband John will follow later this year with a private family service. Contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Gainesville, Salvation Army, or charity of your choice.