Watergate Resident
Dorothy deWolf

76, real estate executive

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Known as “Doda,” Mrs. deWolf was born as Princess Dorota Drucka Lubecka in Poland to Prince and Princess Francis-Xavier Drucki Lubecki. In 1944, the family fled their ancestral home in Baltow, Poland, and lived in Paris. Mrs. deWolf came to

Dorothy deWolf, a Polish princess and former vice president of Begg/Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., died Aug. 3 at her son's home in Chevy Chase after a yearlong battle with cancer. She was 76.

Known as "Doda," Mrs. deWolf was born as Princess Dorota Drucka Lubecka in Poland to Prince and Princess Francis-Xavier Drucki Lubecki. In 1944, the family fled their ancestral home in Baltow, Poland, and lived in Paris.

Mrs. deWolf came to America in 1952 and began working as an au pair in Wisconsin, sending money home to help her family.

She later managed the flagship Elizabeth Arden store on Connecticut Avenue in the District, where she earned the admiration of the company's founder, Elizabeth Arden, who included Mrs. deWolf in her will.

Mrs. deWolf met her husband, Francis Colt deWolf Jr., in 1958 and married him in 1960. Mr. Colt deWolf was a descendant of Sam Colt, inventor of the Colt .45 revolver.

The couple soon became well-known in the local social scene for their hospitality and vitality.

During her marriage, Mrs. deWolf began her successful 30-year career at Begg, which is now Long & Foster.

She won numerous awards in her field and deeply touched those who experienced her warmth, generosity and sense of honor in business.

She often became friends with her clients and welcomed them into her extended family, seeming to have time for everyone even when raising her children and caring for her ailing husband.

"She embodied all that is good about genteel society as opposed to all that is fake," said Nathalie deWolf, her daughter-in-law.

Although she was proud to become a U.S. citizen, Mrs. deWolf never lost her love and dedication to Poland.

She remained active in Polish affairs, spearheading a Polish Cultural Center in the District and a large-scale Polish aid campaign during the Cold War.

The Polish government will honor her with a posthumous medal for her service.

Mrs. deWolf also was a member of the Chevy Chase Club and a surviving spouse member of the Metropolitan Club and the Diplomatic and Consular Officers, Retired Bacon Club.

A devout Catholic, she supported many charities but focused on helping her church, Immaculate Conception in Northwest, and its adjoining school.

Mrs. deWolf is survived by a daughter, Lindsay McKell of Charlotte, N.C.; a son, Francis Colt deWolf III of Chevy Chase; and five grandchildren.

Her husband died in 1994.

home                                                      The Washington Times August 10, 2006