Georgia Conrad, businesswoman, volunteer
Georgia Conrad was born Nov. 13, 1928, in Hollidaysburg, Pa., to Martha and Stephen Wolfhope. Shortly after her birth, her parents moved the family to a sprawling farm in nearby Mount Etna, Pa. After only six years of a successful family farm operation, Steve and Martha made the difficult decision to sell the property and move to Alexandria, Pa., to ensure that all eight of their children had access to quality education.
The year was 1935 and Georgia was in second grade. Soon after the Wolfhope family settled in Alexandra, they welcomed Georgia’s baby brother Phillip to the family now numbering 11. Georgia was excited about the move and enjoyed riding the bus to a school with separate rooms for each grade level; however, she often reflected on her days in the one-room schoolhouse and the opportunity for advanced learning by “…listening to what the older kids were being taught.” Georgia would later lament that she sacrificed the 1930s version of accelerated learning and life on the farm so that her brother Gene would not have to hitch a ride with the milkman to attend high school in Alexandria.
Georgia spent her youth in the idyllic Alexandria country setting and was described as a “tomboy” who excelled in school and engaged in daring pursuits with friends for fun. She also was a popular student who was elected by her peers and faculty to represent her community as a pageant attendant along with her sisters. Somewhere along the way she acquired the nickname “Dort” along with the endearing variant “Dorty.” The origin of this unusual nickname will forever be a mystery.
Unfortunately, Georgia’s formative years were not without adversity as World War II resulted in her three older brothers being called upon to serve in active combat zones. Her younger brother, Phillip, would later serve in the Korean War. Friends and neighbors also continued to suffer the lingering effects of the Depression, and Georgia’s family was always willing to share what little they had with others in the community. It wasn’t until older brother, Roy, returned from meritorious service in the war in Europe that indoor plumbing was installed in the Wolfhope household.
Georgia graduated from high school shortly after the end of the war and began attending college in Harrisburg, Pa. Fortunately, she was able to finance both her college tuition and living expenses by serving as both a housekeeper and nanny for a young family. It was while in Harrisburg as a student and later an administrative assistant that she met and married the love of her life, Bill Conrad. A marriage and love affair that would begin at a YMCA dance and last until Bill’s untimely death in 2001.
While Georgia will best be remembered for her kindness and sensitivity to the needs of others, she also demonstrated great promise as a businesswoman. Her business acumen was first revealed when she worked in the banking industry and later as a founding member of the fledgling Delaware Lottery organization in the 1970s. However, it would be her volunteer efforts and service to others, ingrained at a young age, that will forever be her legacy. Whether serving as a Meals on Wheels volunteer, her many years as a homeroom mother, or driving those lacking transportation to the market or appointments, she simply wanted to help those in need.
Georgia was a homemaker who enjoyed spending time with family and friends. While she had many interests such as sewing, crossword puzzles, solitaire, and a challenging game of Rummikub, perhaps her favorite activity was a walk on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk with her husband Bill and “people watching.” She was also a sports fan and regularly attended Caesar Rodney's football and basketball games with friends.
In retirement, Georgia and Bill split their time between Delaware and Georgia. While home in Delaware, they were faithful fans at grandson Zachary’s football and wrestling matches. Later, Georgia would attend many of Zach’s theater productions and music performances. Bill and Georgia would also take extended vacations to Valdosta, Ga., to spend time with their granddaughter Gabrielle and grandsons Will and Parker. Georgia loved her time in Valdosta with family and remained on the go, attending sporting events, and many other school and community activities.
After Bill’s passing in 2001, she began spending more time in southern Delaware and became a Cape Henlopen supporter, and regularly attended Alexandra, Cole, and Ben’s lacrosse, field hockey, swimming, cross country, and football events. She particularly enjoyed the musical productions her grandson, Zachary, directed at Beacon Middle School. Whenever possible, Georgia continued to travel south to Georgia and soon became a diehard Georgia Tech fan, and attended sporting events while Gabrielle, Will, and Parker were students there. As Georgia Tech scholar-athletes, Will and Parker were always able to score choice seats for their grandmother when she attended university basketball and football games.
Georgia is survived by her sister, Eleanor Wyre of Tyrone, Pa.; daughter, Mary Beth Coffman and her husband Charlie of Millsboro; son, Jeff Conrad and his wife Michaela of Milton; daughter, Anne Conrad and her partner Paul Watson of Valdosta, Ga.; granddaughters, Angela McKinnon, Gabrielle Campiglia Wilkhu (Sumeet) and Alexandra Myers (Casey); grandsons, Zachary Coffman (Marlo Cutler), William Campiglia (Leah), Cole Conrad, Parker Campiglia (Rebekah) and Ben Conrad; great-granddaughters, Katherine McKinnon, Caroline McKinnon, Zoey Myers and Hannah Myers; great-grandsons, Drew McKinnon, Mason McKinnon and Lane Coffman; and many much-loved nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Georgia’s caregivers and angels here on earth Paul Watson, Shirley Straughter, Regina Kimbrough, Katie Ortmeyer, and Laura Walker.
Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25, at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends and family may call beginning at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at 1 p.m., Monday, Feb. 26, at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
All unable to attend the services on Sunday are invited to join the service via livestream by visiting: parsellfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/permalink/11312053/LTWebcast.
