Cover photo for Dorothy Dossie Leigh Hayward's Obituary
Dorothy Dossie Leigh Hayward Profile Photo
1915 Dorothy 2010

Dorothy Dossie Leigh Hayward

April 1, 1915 — December 9, 2010

Mrs. Dorothy L. "Dossie" Hayward, 95, of Twin Falls passed away peacefully at home on December 9, 2010.

She was the only child of Willis and Mabel Leigh born in Bellfountain, OH. on April 1, 1915. Within months the family moved to Portland, IN. where Dossie spent her childhood and young adult years. After graduation from Portland High School, she attended Indiana University in Bloomington for two years where she was affiliated with the Delta Gamma Fraternity. While there she was crowned "Miss IU". Continuing her studies, she graduated from Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis in 1939.

Dossie returned to Portland where she engaged in private duty nursing as her primary employment.

After the outbreak of WW II she volunteered for the Army Nurse Corps and was inducted at Fort Knox, KY. While there, she married her home town sweetheart, Frank Gaunt, an officer in the 4th Armored Division.

Despite her Mothers protestations, Dossie volunteered for overseas duty and was sent to England where she was assigned to the 67th General Hospital. Shortly before D Day, there was a call for volunteer nurses to be assigned to the 30th Field Hospital. Dossie raised her hand and was accepted. Her hospital unit was sent to France forty days after D Day and became a part of the American Forces which broke free of the Cherbourg Pennisula confinement. Prior to her arrival in France, her husband Frank was killed in combat as part of the American invasion.

Dossie became the Chief Nurse of the 3rd Platoon of the 30th Field Hospital which provided battlefield medical support to the 5th Infantry Division. For her outstanding service during hostilities, she was awarded the Bronze Star. Her final assignment was to care for the concentration camp survivors in a Holocaust compound in Ebensee, Austria.

During the military campaign, Dossie and her future husband Louis met, however their relationship didn't blossom until after the war.

Louis, who was an insurance broker in Glendale, CA. became reacquainted with Dossie who was a Chief Ward Nurse at the Fort Ord, CA. hospital. They were married on February 16, 1947 and established their home in Glendale, CA. They had three children, Stephen, Leigh and Nancy. Dossie's philosophy of life was to be a loving and supporting wife and mother - in these she was hugely successful.

Dossie was a member of the National Charity League, a Camp Fire Girl Leader and continues as a member of Chapter CJ PEO of Glendale, CA. She was a member of the Glendale Presbyterian Church transferring to the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood in Ketchum. After living in Glendale for 48 years, Dossie and Louis moved to Scottsdale, AZ where they resided for twelve years. Because of their advancing years and Dossie's disabilities, they moved to Twin Falls to be near their children.

During their lifetime together, Dossie and Louis and their children spent many summers on Warm Springs Creek near Ketchum. This ultimately led to their purchase of land on the Warfield homestead on which they built their log home. During the summers, they enjoyed their horses and beautiful rides in the Smokey and Boulder Mountains.

Dossie will be remembered by her many friends as a vibrant and fun loving person. She has left her mark on all her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband Louis of 63 years, son Stephen of Pocatello, twin daughters Leigh (Jerry) Josephsen of Buhl and Nancy (Doug) Strand of Twin Falls, four grand children and three great grand children.

Louis and her family wish to extend warm thanks to all those involved in providing the wonderful personal care and medical attention Dossie received with a special thanks to her long time companion, Velvet Old. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday December 16, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. at the Twin Falls First Baptist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of White Mortuary "Chapel by the Park".
Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dorothy L. Hayward t the Women in Military Service, in Washington D.C., www.womensmemorial.org.

Service Details.

Service


When: Thursday, December 16th, 2010
Location: Funeral Home
Address:

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