Dorothy M. Frederickson

Dorothy Frederickson died on Friday, June 27, 2025, surrounded by her family and Pastor Anita Hahn. She passed peacefully with the help of the compassionate people taking care of her at U of M Sparrow. Dorothy was a lifetime resident of Lansing. She attended Sexton High School, graduated, and continued her studies at Lansing Community College in Child Development. She then transferred to MSU where she graduated with a degree in Education, then returned to receive her master’s degree in Community Development.

Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Jeffrey E. (Dawn) Frederickson and Frederic A. (Catherine) Frederickson, and daughter Dawn (Frederickson) Green. She is also survived by several grandchildren: Matthew Green, Frederic Frederickson II, Alex Green, Molly Luks, Josh Green, James Green, and Hunter Frederickson. There are also several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Ellin Frederickson, Sr.; her parents, Arthur and Anna Swartz; her son, Bernard Ellin Frederickson Jr.; and one granddaughter, Angela Marie Frederickson.

Dorothy put into practice her life’s passion of helping communities. She served as the Ingham County Commissioner during the eighties. She created programs and initiatives for people throughout the county. Dorothy also worked at the Potter Park Church, starting a lot of outreach programs that are still in existence today.

Dorothy was employed in the community schools as a special education teacher, helping to create the pre-K programs for students with disabilities. Dorothy was very involved for many years in the Ingham County 4-H program. Her creative spirit full of adventure helped children be creative as well.

Dorothy found her calling beyond her community by using $5000 dollars to start up her mission, Soaring Unlimited, where she spent 27 years of her life. She developed community-based programs for the people of Hatiti. She built a medical clinic in Pistere, Haiti. The clinic included a birthing center that helped the surrounding communities to have prenatal care and healthy-born babies. Dorothy’s current endeavors involved creating Baby Boxes for the children of Haiti. Each box included a layette, rattles and most importantly mosquito netting keeping the babies safe from malaria.

In retirement, Dorothy enjoyed gardening, sewing, and genealogy. She loved going shopping at the thrift stores. She enjoyed the holidays and celebrated every single one of them. She liked nothing better than being together with her family during those times.

We will love and miss you mom, but you are now on your next journey and we know you will always be watching over us. Dorothy positively touched people’s lives leaving them better off than when they met.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday July 12, 2025, at Holt United Methodist Church, 2321 N. Aurelius Road, Holt, MI 48842, 2:00 p.m. – Dinner following service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Baby Box Soaring Unlimited, P.O. Box 562, Holt, MI 48842. If desired, please send flowers to the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, Lansing, MI.