Dorothy B. Crombie

February 20, 1921 - December 28, 2011

Long-time resident of Joliet, passed away peacefully at The Scottish Home in North Riverside, IL Wednesday, December 28, 2011. Age 90 years.

Survived by her children, Robert (Diane) Buck Crombie of Huntington Beach, CA, and Janet Anderson Crombie of Chicago, IL,. Two grandchildren Katelyn & Janae Crombie. A sister-in-law, Dorothy M. Crombie, also numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her parents Ford and Pearl Buck, her husband Robert Anderson Crombie, and her brother Allen C. (Frieda) Buck

Born in Hicksville, Ohio on February 20, 1921, Dorothy graduated from Hicksville High School in 1938 and from Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in 1942 with a B.S. in Education (Home Economics). During WWII, she taught school in Leipsic and Avon Lake, OH. After the war, she worked for the Ohio Fuel Gas Company where she was promoted to District Home Service Director in Mansfield, OH. In 1950, she became the Director of the Dairy Council of Stark County in Ohio, a unit of the National Dairy Council.

Dorothy was married to Robert A. Crombie at First Presbyterian Church in Joliet by the Rev. Arthur W. Hoffman in November 1952. She became aware of Joliet Township High School (JTHS) in 1953 when her husband was treasurer for the Class of 1938. As she took phone calls in connection with the 15-year alumni dance reunion, she learned how much JTHS meant to the citizens of Joliet. That led her to research Louise Lentz Woodruff’s “Steelman” sculpture at JTHS. Her Louise Lentz Woodruff Collection, entitled “OH, LU” is available to the public in the local history section of the Joliet Public Library. Dorothy served on the JTHS-Central Archives Committee and did research on the history of the school when her children became third generation students. She represented the Archives Committee when JTHS-Central made its application to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. She became an honorary JTHS graduate in 1985.
An avid historian, Dorothy volunteered to do research on Ruben’s Rialto Square Theatre. She wrote two sections of the book JEWEL OF JOLIET, created in 1977 by the group led by Dorothy Mavrich in the effort to preserve the theatre from the wrecking ball.
Dorothy was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Illinois Saint Andrew Society, Louis Joliet Chapter DAR, BGSU Alumni Association, Alpha Phi Fraternity, and the Joliet Area Historical Society. She was an active member of the Joliet Newcomer’s Club in 1953 and served as Vice President.

Funeral Information

A memorial service celebrating Dorothy’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, 805 Western Ave., Saturday, January 21 at 11:30A.M. Rev. Dr. Craig M. Herr officiating. Dorothy’s ashes will be placed in the columbarium of First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held from 10:30 A.M. until time of services. Funeral arrangement conducted by:

Donations Information

In lieu of flowers memorials to First Presbyterian Church, JTHS Archives Committee or the Illinois Saint Andrew Society will be appreciated.