CHAFIN, Dorothy

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Friday, February 4, 2006 Dorothy Chafin - 1914 - 2006 Prescott lost one of his longtime residents and benefactors October 26, 2006. Dorothy was born on November 18, 1914, on a ranch in the peach Springs area to Samuel Franklin Crozier and Lottie Grounds Crozier, both natives of Arizona. When Dorothy was four years old, her family moved to a ranch in northwest Colorado, where she lived until the early 1930s before returning to Prescott. Dorothy was attending the University of Denver and her family moved back to Prescott. She then transferred to Fresno State until the Depression caused her to return to Prescott and take and accounting job at Harmon Audit Company, leading to a career specializing in ranch accounting. By her own account, this introduced directly to some of the most interesting people she had ever known. For many years Dorothy had an office just off the lobby of the historic Hotel, which was a popular meeting place for clients, ranchers, and friends. These friendships naturally led to her involvement in numerous activities. She was a member of the Smoki People, and was chosen and named 'Totcha' Head Squaw and Chieftess in 1950 . Dorothy was also engaged with the Board of the Fair Association, The Rodeo Committee, and the Quarter Horse Committee. She also worked for the School Board of Williamson Valley District # 2. Among the many influential people in her life were Lester Ruffner and Lester 'Budge' Ruffner, who pushed her to accept a state office in the Business and Professional Women's Club. Dorothy Was Elected the First Female President of the Prescott Chamber of Commerce in 1956, the Business Woman of the Year for Prescott in 1957, and also the following year, Business Woman of the year for the State of Arizona. In 1957, Dorothy and her husband, along with four other professors from the University of Arizona, left to teach at the University of Baghdad in Iraq, where they remained until forced to flee because of the revolution. Dorothy married Kemper Chafin in the early 1970s, and they live on the Seven V Ranch outside of Prescott, raising and racing quarter horses. Dorothy was instrumental in the development and was at the very foundation of both the Phippen Art Museum and the Prescott Art Docents. Dorothy participated in many different groups in Prescott and received numerous awards for her accomplishments, including President of the Republican Women in 1960; chairwoman That of the Yavapai Republican Committee in 1974; President of the Prescott Art Docents and Sheriff of the Westerners: both in 1981; founding President of the Freedom Foundation in 1983; Republican Woman of the Year in 1984; and Philanthropist of the Year in 1993 and 1996. Her favorites were the Smoki, the Phippen Museum and the Prescott Art Docents. Dorothy traveled extensively throughout the world, collected art, and develop friendships with many of the artists. She donated many pieces to leading Arizona art museums. Dorothy will be remembered as a benefactor of the arts, a friend and mentor. In a recent interview she stated, "My hometown rewarded me well in many activities I participated in, and I still think it is the best place in the world to live." Dorothy is survived by her sister, Mrs. Jean McElliott of Prescott, Ariz. and her three children, Steve McElliott (and wife Cheryl); Dwight McElliott (and wife Gigi), both of Los Angeles, Calif.; and Cheri McElliott of Napa Valley, Calif.; and by her nephews, Larry Crozier (and wife Linda) of Eureka, Calif.; and Sam Crozier of Anacortes, Wash. A memorial reception in Dorothy's honor will be held at a later date with a memorial designated at that time. Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home is assisting the family. Information provided by survivors.