Theophile Gorman

Theophile (Smith) Gorman, former long time resident of Waukesha, WI, passed away October 23, 2007 following a short stay at the HospiceCare Residence in Fitchburg, WI. For the last three years, she lived with her husband, William Gorman at Middleton Glen Senior Residence in Middleton, WI. Born in Richland Center on June 24, 1914 to Elmer and Ada Smith, Theophile later graduated from Waukesha High School. She majored in English and Spanish at Carroll College, graduating magna cum laude with a BA in 1943. She later did post graduate work at UW- Milwaukee. She taught Spanish as well as English as a second language to native Spanish Speakers at Waukesha Vocational School, now Waukesha County Technical College, for many years. Theophile began her journalism career at the Waukesha Freeman in the 1960's, for many years reporting feature stories, interviews, cooking and women's page articles. She also was a reporter for the Waukesha Post. She was a recipient of journalism awards for news stories, features and interviews. As a member of National Federation of Press women, she served on the Board of Directors in 1975 and participated in National press women's events, proudly earning Continuing Educational Units (CEU's) credit at several Universities around the country. With the Wisconsin Press Women's Association, she served in numerous positions such as secretary, Vice President and President, and helped organize state-wide events. Within her community, Theophile was a member of the Waukesha Jaycettes, Waukesha Symphony Auxiliary, Waukesha Women's Club for 50 years, Carroll College Pioneers Club and YWCA. She served as chairman of publicity and newsletter editor for several organizations. In the Waukesha Beacon Lights Club, which early on helped start the first library in Waukesha, she served as club secretary for many years. She enjoyed gardening, several bridge clubs, reading, traveling, cooking, entertaining, china painting, ceramics, dancing, camping, writing and owned several Boston Terrier bull dogs. She was a member of Moor Downs (Moorland) Women's Golf League, Footnotes Dance Club and Vagabonds Camping Group. She was a prolific letter writer to family and friends. In retirement, Theophile and Bill were snowbirds to Mesa, Arizona at the Valle Del Oro Resort RV Park for 22 winters. They were members of the Valle Del Oro Pioneers Club and had many friends and good times. She and Bill were life-long members of St. Matthias Episcopal Church where they were married in 1941 in the chapel. They were married for 66 years and lived at their house at on Wabash Ave. in Waukesha for 52 years, where they enjoyed gardening, assisting elderly friends with care packages, including their dear friend and next door neighbor Ruth Dale (deceased) and visiting with many family members and friends on their summer breezeway. She is survived by her husband, William P. Gorman, age 93, and daughters: Kathleen (Harry) Marshall of Lake Tomahawk, WI, and Carole (Loren) Ziglin of Cross Plains; 4 grandchildren: Captain Harry (Amy) Marshall, Jr., serving in the U.S. Marines in West Germany, Erin (Paul) Bierwagen of Dallas, TX, Kimberly (Bradley) Bishop of Middleton, WI, and Nicholas (Nikki Fortin) Marshall of Grayslake, IL; 6 great-grand children: Luke, Ty, Jane, Sylvie, Olin, Ann-Marie, and one on-the-way; and her sister, Helen (Smith) Cooper of Cottage Grove. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2007 from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha. Services will continue on Monday, October 29 at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, 111 E. Main St., Waukesha, with visitation from 9:30 A.M. until the 10:00 A.M. Funeral Mass. Rev. Dr. Thomas Barnett will preside. Burial will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. There will also be a memorial service on Thursday, November 1, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. at HospiceCare Center Chapel,5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg. Memorials may be made to St. Matthias Episcopal Church (address above), or to HospiceCare Center, 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.