Dorothy Jordan Benstead MacVicar

Dorothy “Dodie” Jordan Benstead MacVicar passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025 at the age of 96 in Racine, Wisconsin, where she lived most of her remarkable life. Born on November 18, 1928, in Newark, New Jersey, Dodie was the beloved daughter of Horace and Jessie Benstead. In 1933, her family relocated to Racine, a community she came to cherish and serve throughout her life.

Dodie graduated from Milwaukee Downer Seminary in 1946. She pursued her passion for learning at the University of Mexico in Mexico City during summer school and continued her studies at the University of Wisconsin and the University of New Mexico, where she majored in anthropology.

In 1949, Dodie met the love of her life, Dr. Ernest MacVicar, a young ophthalmologist in Racine. As family lore has it, their romance began when Dodie’s father ensured the Benstead family would be Dr. MacVicar’s first patients. Dodie was instantly smitten, and the feeling was mutual. They married on October 6, 1951, beginning a love story and partnership that lasted until Ernie’s passing in 2013.

Dodie had a lifelong love of tennis – both playing and following the sport. She also loved card games and became a great bridge player later in life. She was still driving herself to the local bowling alley at the age of 90 to play duplicate bridge.

Dodie’s civic contributions to Racine were numerous and impactful. She was a co-founder of the Greater Racine chapter of Big Sisters, serving as its president for three years and receiving the local Service to Mankind Award in 1970 for her dedication. She also served on the boards of St. Catherine’s High School, the YWCA (as president), the Racine Community Foundation, and St. Luke’s Hospital Board of Trustees, where she served as chairman for many years. Additionally, she briefly served on the Public Defender Board under Governor Lee Dreyfus.

Dodie’s passion for anthropology and Greek history fueled her love of travel. She was also an avid reader and loved to learn. But her true gift was making and maintaining lifelong friendships. Dodie had a devilish sense of humor and an infectious laugh. She was a people person who treasured relationships and had more friends than one could ever hope to count.

Dodie’s life was marked by love, laughter, and a commitment to her family, friends, and community. She will be missed but remembered for the friendship, laughs and stories she shared with so many.

“I looked for my soul –

but my soul I could not see.

I looked for my God –

but my God eluded me.

I looked for a friend –

and here I found all three.”

— William Blake

Dodie is survived by her four children: Jessica (Bill) Golden, Pamela MacVicar Johnson, Ernest “Butch” Lewis MacVicar III (Janice), and Monica (John) Cloak. She was a devoted grandmother to Jordan, Morgan, Jessie, and Gavin Golden; Odinn and Skye Johnson; Charlie, Eddie, and Audrey MacVicar; and Jack, Chelsea, Michael, and Sadee Cloak. She also leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren and her niece, Julie Jorgenson.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dodie’s memory to St. Monica’s Senior Living, 3920 North Green Bay Road, Racine, Wisconsin 53404, or Big Sisters of Racine, 840 Lake Avenue, Suite 250, Racine, Wisconsin 53403.