Dora Sue Mallick

Dora Sue Mallick (nee Higgins), 90, daughter of William Wellington Higgins and Katie Hurley Higgins, lifelong residents of Fayetteville, died unexpectedly on Nov. 18, 2012, at her home in Sarasota, Fla. She was the beloved wife for 67 years of Capt. Edgar E. Mallick, USN (ret.). Dora Sue was born in the Belgian Congo, Africa, where her parents were Methodist missionaries. Educated in Arkansas, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1941 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma social sorority. After teaching for two years, she went to graduate school and earned a master's degree in social work from William and Mary's School of Social Work at The Richmond Professional Institute, Richmond, Va. Afterwards, she became a field director of Girl Scouts in Pittsburgh, Pa. There, in 1945, she met her Navy husband on a blind date and they married six weeks later; within two years they were blessed with the first of three children. The family grew by two more children and lived in many homes across the United States and Far East. In overseas places where Sue's husband was stationed, she taught school: in the Territory of Hawaii (before it was a state) and in Japan. In Iwakuni, Japan, she also was president of the Women's Club. When her husband was on shore duty in Annapolis, Md., she served as president of the Naval Academy Garden Club, chair of the USNA Chapel Guild's Flower Committee, president of the Panhellenic Club of Annapolis and secretary of the Submarine SSN Annapolis' Commemorative Committee. In retirement, she and her husband maintained homes in Annapolis, Md., and Longboat Key, Fla. Throughout her life, Dora Sue was devoted to her family, friends and Christian faith. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her brother, Wellington Hurley Higgins. She is survived by her husband, Edgar E. Mallick of Sarasota, Fla.; and three children, Kathryn Nissly (Barry), Lancaster, Pa., Susan Stevenson (Chuck), Orlando, Fla., and Dr. Edgar Mallick Jr. (Darlene), Annapolis, Md.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Inurnment is private at the United States Naval Academy Columbarium.