Many thanks to her children Michael and Carla for sharing her obit with us. I have included her extract from 'The Register' below, there is also a link to her memorial page here. The family will be holding a memorial the week of a January 20th 2025 and will stream it online. I will share the details here when they become available.  

Doreen believed that fences were made to be climbed, signs were merely a suggestion, and rules were meant to be challenged. She was quite simply a force.

Born in England in 1932, she lived through World War II and was evacuated twice to escape Nazi bombings. In the Mid 1950's she crossed the Atlantic to work with the American Friends Service Committee, first in Mexico where she met her late husband Bernie Wohl, and then in the United States. Doreen worked with migrant farm workers which lead to a career dedicated to working with and for underserved communities. She developed family day care, after school and residential summer camp programs at South Side Settlement House in Columbus, Ohio and University Settlement and Kingsbridge Heights Community Centers in New York City.

Doreen spent the last 20 years of her career at the West Side Campaign Against Hunger in New York City where she instituted innovations that transformed the food bank into a cooperative, with customer volunteers, a supermarket style pantry, and wrap around services, including a chef training program and a social services assistance program. Doreen's model, which provided dignity to the customers, has been widely adopted across the United States. She received numerous awards for her innovation, including the Lemlich award and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Doreen's home was always a hub for friends, travelers, and family. She especially delighted in spending time with her four grandchildren. She is survived by her son Michael and his wife Cynthia, her daughter Carla and husband Norm, and her grandchildren Corey, Olivia, Jordan and Emma. A memorial will be held at a later date. Contributions in her memory can be made to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger.

Higdon, Doreen (social worker); b, Brentwood 1st December 1932; p. Reginald Cecil Higdon and Adie Catherine (Addison) (q.v.): S. (1941 - 1950) swimming (diving competition), hockey and tennis teams, chior, madrigal group, orchestra; m. Bernard J. Wohl (social work director) at Guilford, 6th Oct 1956; ch. Michael Addison b 1957 and Carla Sarah b. 1959; 1954 Socilolgy and Ecconomics (London), 1968 American History and Political Science, (Ohio), 1980 Business Management for Not For Profit Organisations (Colombia);  1954 went to USA and Mexico with American Friends Service Committie; 1956 emigrated to USA, living in New York City and Columbus, Ohio; worked with youth and adult programmes in neighbourhood community centres; 1977 - 1981. Director of Kingsbridge Heights Community Centre,  Bronx; 1981 - 1986 Director, University Settlement Camp; 1986 - 1991 Director, Family Day Care New York Foundling Hospital; 1992 - Director, West Side Campaign Against Hunger; art, politics, organic food (community supported agriculture).