Dorothys Diaries, Influenza Pandemic of 1918

Dorothy Sears at the height of her career, KHS

Dorothy Sears was the sixth and youngest child of Kenilworth’s founder, Joseph Sears. Dorothy studied at Mrs. Babcock’s boarding and day school in Kenilworth for 11 years before continuing her education in teaching.

In 1916 she opened her own school in a Winnetka store building and later in the basement of the Winnetka Women’s Club. In 1927, she bought a dilapidated house for $100 and converted it into a permanent location for her North Shore Montessori School. Dorothy eventually became the honorary custodian for the Kenilworth Historical Society and served as its President for several years.

For most of her life, she kept extensive diaries of her day-to-day. Below are a couple excerpts from her 1918 diary during the Influenza Pandemic:

October 27, Sunday
Little Georgie Kruse telephoned this morning to say that his mother had the
influenza. Poor little boy he was very frightened. Helen went right over there. She
found her not very sick.

December 11, Wednesday
School. Only 10 children there [out of twenty two]… Seemed as if I called up nearly everyone I knew in the evening. Annie Mason has the “Flu” I may have to close my school.

December 12, Thursday
Dr. Schneider said we would have to close the school until Monday because Annie Mason has the “Flu”… Sewed at the Red Cross in the afternoon—A meeting of the Emergency Bureau in the eve. at Mrs. Sanborns.