Dorothy L. Kispert

Dorothy L. Kispert a lifelong Detroit resident passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Southfield, Michigan. Dorothy was born on December 10, 1928, to Pearl Elizabeth (Hill) and Leo Priestley. In 1946, Dorothy graduated from Northern High School. She was a strong student academically and active in school clubs such as the Northern Light newspaper. Outside of school, she earned a first-place prize from the non-profit, Civitan International for her essay, “What Democracy Means to Me”. Dorothy attended the University of Michigan where she majored in Psychology and remained active in student life beyond the classroom. She was elected to the student legislature and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. She always enjoyed spending time with her many friends! In 1950, after graduating from U of M she returned to Detroit and began what would become her life’s work to improve the lives of children, parents and families. She built her career on a foundation of respect for all people and cultures, reflecting her belief that everyone has something of value to offer. In 1955 she married Wilson G Kispert, who predeceased her (1991). Wilson, an educator in Biology, took Dorothy and their two young daughters, Kimberly and Cynthia, to live in Kenya and Ethiopia. Dorothy shared his sense of adventure. While initially Dorothy did not work, she eventually volunteered with the Kenya Army nursery school and a home economics school for young women. Together with Wilson, their efforts helped to raise the level of education for citizens in the newly independent Republic of Kenya and later in Ethiopia. In 1973, she pursued graduate studies at Detroit’s Wayne State University earning a master’s degree in human development from the College of Liberal Arts. She leveraged this degree in several roles, including Director, Parent-Child Development Center, Merrill-Palmer Institute and as Project Director of Parents and Children Together, at Wayne State University. In 1994, she retired from Wayne and began a period of volunteerism such as her work as a Docent at the Detroit Zoo. She also traveled with like-minded friends who aimed to complete their bucket lists of seeing and experiencing the world while they were able. Always well-connected to her family, friends and community, she was a Diamond member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, Alpha Rho Omega Chapter, a member and past president (xxx – xxx) of the Detroit Study Club and founding member of “First Thursday”, a monthly gathering of 7 women, lifelong friends, and their offspring. While Dorothy leaves a legacy rich in professional accomplishments, her biggest legacy is her family. She leaves behind to cherish and celebrate her memory, her daughters, Kimberly (Dwight Jackson), Cynthia (Steven Bostick). Grandsons, Lee K Jackson, Mark K Jackson, Desmond Kispert-Bostick (Kristen Louis) and their daughters, Emerson and Adrienne, Sydney Kispert-Bostick (Omari Hall). Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Plymouth United Church of Christ or to Dorothy L and Wilson G Kispert Endowed Scholarship at Wayne State University School of Social Work.

Dorothy L. Kispert

December 10, 1928 - March 24, 2025