Obituary: Dorothy Wittcoff, social worker, teacher and world traveler

It didn't matter whether Dorothy Wittcoff was teaching kids in her hometown or across the globe in one of the approximately 30 countries where she lent a hand: When she saw a need, she filled it.

The St. Louis Park 100-year-old died of pneumonia Aug. 1. Family described her as a small but mighty woman with a strong presence, a love for travel and a passion for social work.

Her family recounted stories that spanned her whole century, from her volunteer work in Thailand, Latin America and Africa to the time she spent her 80th birthday in Antarctica.

"She was a force to be reckoned with, but she was a lovely person," said her son Ted Wittcoff.

Dorothy Wittcoff was born Dorothy Brochin in Minneapolis in 1915. She spent her childhood in the Jewish immigrant community in Minneapolis, working at her father's store, Brochin's Delicatessen, a community staple, or tucked away in the library.

She attended the University of Minnesota just as the Great Depression swung into full force. Her passion was in social work and teaching, areas in which she continued for graduate work.

After her studies, she married her first love, Ralph Glance. But the marriage was cut short: Glance was a pilot in World War II and was killed in 1943.

She spent the 1940s as a social worker for different agencies. In the 1950s, while raising three boys, she ran and taught at the Beth El Synagogue Sunday school.

"When she saw a need, she did something about it," Ralph said. "As I say: For a diminutive person, she could be very forceful."

She raised her boys in Minneapolis alongside her support system: The Brochin siblings and their families, who lived next door, across the street and down the street.

Wittcoff was the head of social work education at the Sister Kenny Institute around the 1970s, Ralph said. When it later merged with Abbott Northwestern Hospital, she became the education director for the hospital, designing extended learning courses.

Ralph said his mother was an early feminist and someone who valued learning and service.

The couple traveled across the world for the next 25 years both for business and pleasure, establishing "home bases" in New York and then London, but filling most of their time seeing the world.

While Harold was working at universities, his wife would do stints in social work and teaching at different universities internationally. She worked with kids in hospitals in Thailand and taught English in Africa.

They moved back to Minnesota in 2008 to be closer to family but had a map of the world dotted with pins signifying their travels.

"He was probably a genius, but he couldn't have done it alone," said Ralph, who added that his mom supported Harold with a home and chicken soup and matzo balls — her specialty.