A Tribute to Dorothy Bogen Farrington

By Barbara Daugs Hunt, ΑΟΠ Sorority

Dorothy Bogen Farrington enjoyed every day in her life of 91 years. She packed as much into it as she could, including plenty of time for ΑΟΠ (Alpha Omicron Pi was Dorothy’s college sorority). During her lifetime, she served Alpha Omicron Pi as vice president of her pledge class at Stanford University’s Lambda Chapter, President of the San Jose Alumnae Chapter, President of the Delta Sigma Corporation, Chairman of the Delta Sigma Advisory Council, and various national and international positions.

Although I saw Dorothy from afar at ΑΟΠ conventions, I never had the opportunity to visit with her until five years ago when I began our relationship through letters and phone calls.

At her invitation, my husband and I drove to San Jose, California for a visit in the spring of 1993. The visit proved how delightful and gracious Dorothy was to everyone who made her acquaintance. As a past Rose Award winner and recipient of the Helen St. Clair Mullan award, she definitely wanted to know the latest happenings in our Fraternity, especially the number of chapters, their status and overall fiscal stability and the condition of the Fraternity. She was particularly pleased to relate her love for Delta Sigma Chapter and the role they played in her life and in theirs. Every story was filled with reminiscences of good times and wonderful adventures.

In fact, she excused herself for a minute and returned with a beautiful gold and diamond bracelet which she had given to her chapter years before to honor the outstanding scholar each year. She insisted I take it along and give it to the foundation as a momento of her love for Alpha Omicron Pi.

Dorothy gave much to the community, her family and friends, and to Alpha Omicron Pi. When she died, she left money and instructions for a huge party to be held to celebrate her life. Hundreds of friends attended and toasted a truly great and gracious lady whom every one enjoyed immensely.

It was one of the highlights of my ΑΟΠ life, and one my husband and I will never forget. Visiting Dorothy Farrington in her lovely home at the end of a winding street in San Jose, California typified to me the true meaning of ΑΟΠ sisterhood for a lifetime.

Dorothy was always looking out for the needs of her friends and never has that been more evident than in her final gift to the Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation. She made provisions in her will for a $50,000 bequest to be given to the Foundation after her death. Her life-long commitment to the continuation of our sisterhood through her gifts of time and money are greatly admired and appreciated.