IN MEMORIAM
Dorothy Masterson and Fran McElvaney
The LWV-Dallas recently lost two long-time members, Dorothy Masterson and Fran McElvaney.
Dorothy passed away on April 6. She was married to Bill Masterson, a lawyer, for more than 70 years. She chaired the LWVD study on Landlord-Tenant Relations in the 1970's. Problems like failure to maintain heating and air conditioning systems, plumbing leaks, roof leaks, etc. caused misery for tenants, but if they withheld their rent in order to force repairs, they might get evicted. Dorothy founded the Dallas Tenants Union which later became the Housing Crisis Center and is now a United Way agency.
Dorothy became an expert on this issue and was recognized for her efforts to help tenants and solve problems. She received the Governor’s Volunteer Lone Star Achievement Award. She and Bill founded the Museum of Geometric and MADI Arts. In 2008, she received the HPISD Distinguished Alumni Award.
Fran McElvaney died on April 18. Her husband, Bill McElvaney, who was the Minister at Northhaven United Methodist Church and faculty member at Perkins School of Theology, predeceased her. She held a number of positions with the League including serving as the Vice President of Organization.
Fran worked with immigrants through a program called Proyecto Adelante. She was involved in justice issues and the LGBTQ+ community. She and Bill received the local Peacemakers of the Year Award from the Dallas Peace Center. |