Dorothy E. Barclay

Dorothy Elaine Barclay (Marshall) was born on July 24, 1933 in Montego Bay, Jamaica, West Indies to Maud Gwen Dehaney and Stelton Marshall. She grew up in the city of Kingston. In her early years, Dorothy went to East Branch School a part of the Holy Trinity School System in Jamaica. She also studied bookkeeping and shorthand and earned a certificate issued from the Pitman Examination Institute of London, England. Dorothy used her excellent secretarial skills in her jobs as a bookkeeper for a transit company and as a typist at a small company. In 1955, she joined the Women’s Royal Army Corp and became a part of their steno pool. She served for 3 years and left with the rank of Lance Corporal.

As a member of the First Missionary Church in Kingston, she sang in the church choir and was involved with the young people’s group. This is where she met her husband. On December 21, 1957, she married Ferdinand Barclay at the Memorial Tabernacle Church. Six months later she migrated to Chicago, Illinois to be with Ferdinand, who was already living there. Of this union, two children were born: Patrick and Elaine.

Dorothy and Ferdinand joined Warren Central Presbyterian Church, (now Pine Avenue United Church) in Chicago, IL, both served as members of the choir, teaching Sunday school and taking an active part in the life of the church.

While working as a stenographer for a merchant tailor firm in Chicago, she attended college in the evenings. Dorothy received her A.A. degree from Malcolm X College. She then continued her studies and received a B.A. in Education from Chicago State University. Later, she decided to attend DePaul University in Chicago where she obtained a M.A. in Education. Dorothy also took real estate courses and worked as a real estate agent for a few years.

Dorothy’s profession was a teacher for the Chicago Public School System working at several schools. She loved teaching and the children. As most teachers do, she used quite a bit of her own money buying things that the children needed such as school supplies, clothing and sometimes food. The generosity she had shown was always returned by the children with hugs. At Christmas time she had most of the gifts under the Christmas tree because of her students.

Dorothy retired early to join her husband who had also retired early and moved full time to their home in Palm Coast. Trinity Presbyterian Church became Dorothy’s new church home, where her husband had become an active member. She was also a member of the Afro-American Caribbean Association, the Flagler County Retired Teachers Association and the Chicago Retired Teachers Association.

Dorothy’s hobbies were sewing, decorating, reading, singing, cooking and baking and working crossword puzzles. She loved collecting teddy bears and ceramic birds. She also enjoyed dancing and loved to do the electric slide. Dorothy had a very generous spirit and a wonderful hearty laugh.

Her faith in God kept her strong even after her loving husband, Ferdinand left to be with the Lord in June of 2006. Throughout her illnesses, she would always say, “I’m not hanging in there, I’m holding on”.

Dorothy leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her new life, her loving children; her son Patrick, daughter Elaine, grandchildren Annanda and Kristian, her sister Iris Malcolm of Jamaica and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

May God bless all who loved Dorothy E. Barclay.

Arrangements under the direction of Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, Ormond Beach, FL.