Dorothy Dudnik Obituary

DOROTHY ANN (VIAL) DUDNIK passed away on October 8, 2023 in Culver City, California.
Dorothy was born in Charleston, West Virginia on April 4, 1943 as the first child of Dr. H.R.W. Vial and Dorothy Dodson Vial. She was educated in the Kanawha County schools, graduating from South Charleston High School and Indiana University.
She has been aptly described by her son Frank Meyer as a complicated and fascinating woman who left small town life for the big city, never looking back.
Professionally Dorothy was employed as a bacteriologist and microbiologist in Pittsburgh, New York City and Minneapolis and finally at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine where she was an early researcher of AIDS and HIV. Ever compassionate for those in need Dorothy delivered hot meals to dying men suffering from AIDS in West Los Angeles, often taking her two sons along to help. During those same years Dorothy also served as President of the Mulholland Tennis Club. Dorothy later entered the travel business specializing in European travel. She mastered the French language and with husband Bob they spent much of their Summers in the South of France.
She and Bob enjoyed traveling, skiing in New Mexico and in Utah, with Thanksgivings in Ojai. Dorothy was always an avid reader and dog lover. Most of all Dorothy loved her sons and granddaughters and was proud of their achievements.
Surviving Dorothy are husband Robert Dudnik of Los Angeles, sons Frank Meyer, a director, musician and author, and his wife Sarah of Culver City, Breckin Meyer, an actor and writer of Studio City, granddaughters Bella Meyer of Santa Cruz, Keaton Meyer of New York City and Clover Meyer of Studio City. Also surviving are sisters Betsy Hoben (John) of Biddeford Pool, Maine, Nancy Cagle (Jim) of Charleston, and brother Joe Vial (Patti) of Navarre, Florida.