Dorothy E. Schweder-King, 97 of Los Angeles, CA died on May 14, 2020 at Sunray Healthcare Center – Los Angeles. She was the wife of Louis L. King, 98 also of Los Angeles. Dorothy was born to Albert and Clara (Stroh) Weiss of Mint Canyon, California on February 15, 1923. She was predeceased by her sister Bernice (Weiss) Hawkins in 1988.
Dorothy had a strong sense of self-determination, a fiercely independent spirit and a love for adventure. In 1941 only 1% of aviation workers were women, according to Life magazine. By 1943, Dorothy became one of thousands of women who changed that demographic to support the war effort. She like many others, put on her coveralls, packed a lunch pail and went to work in a male-dominated industry. By the age of 20 she had completed riveter training in Kansas and was employed as one of the original “Rosies” by the Douglas Aircraft Company in Santa Monica, California. After the war, she eventually became an accounting technician, working at the West Los Angeles Federal Building until her retirement.
Among Dorothy’s many adventures were trips to Hawaii, Alaska, Mexico, China and Japan - where she lived for some years. She and her husband Louis made many of these trips together, and also visited various destinations throughout California and the Southwest United States. On one of her last great adventures, Louis took her for a long weekend drive to attend the 2016 Rosie the Riveter Convention in Richmond, California. Dorothy was an active member of Kardia United Methodist Church in West Los Angeles.
In addition to her husband, Dorothy is survived by: her stepson - Geoff King and his wife Doreen of Los Angeles, CA; her three nephews - John Hawkins and his wife Donna of Glendora, CA; Paul Hawkins and his wife Charlene of Orangevale, CA; David Hawkins of Glendora, CA; a step grandson – Ryan King of Los Angeles, CA; a grandniece – Amber Hawkins Gerhart and her husband Justin of Roanoke,TX; a grandnephew – Matthew Hawkins and his wife Amy of Oxnard, CA; as well as her beloved great grandniece and great grandnephews.
In keeping with her wishes, Dorothy was cremated by Gates Kingsley & Gates. There will be a memorial service at a later time, once gatherings are again permitted by county and local officials. In lieu of flowers, family members suggest donations in her memory to The Wounded Warrior Project or Kardia United Methodist Church Covid-19 Assistance Fund.
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