Dorothy Jean Lind

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cousin, aunt, and trusted friend, Dorothy Jean Lind, 86, passed away peacefully at home in Ventura, California, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. She was born in Evans, Colorado on July 24, 1928, the daughter of Frances Larsen and Leslie Griffith. She grew up in Denver, Colorado, and spent many carefree summers playing and working on the farms of her aunts and uncles in eastern Colorado. While attending Colorado A & M College, she met Allen Whitford at a freshman dance. After a whirlwind romance, the couple married in September 1946. Dorothy worked as a bookkeeper while Allen finished his studies. They moved to California in 1951 with their young daughter, Karen. The couple soon added another daughter, Marilyn, and a son, Ken, to their family. They moved to Ventura in 1956 where Dorothy frequently assisted her mother and stepfather, Frances and Fred Bergman, with the operation of the Silver Sands Motel. Widowed three years later, Dorothy began working part-time as a bookkeeper while remaining active as a Camp Fire Girls leader and camp counselor.

After a while, neighbors introduced Dorothy to Bill Lind, who swept her off her feet and danced her to the altar for “The Second Time Around” in September 1963. Bill’s son, Brian, and daughter, Pam, soon joined the lively household. Dorothy and Bill were actively involved in the local Little League; Dorothy managed the snack bar while Bill served as president and as an umpire. The family enjoyed camping and houseboat trips, boating and water skiing at Lake Nacimiento and the Colorado River. In addition, Dorothy and Bill went snow skiing at Big Bear, June Lake and Mammoth Mountain.

In 1965, Dorothy and Bill joined Frances in the management of The Red Hen restaurant in Ventura. Working as a team, Dorothy managed the cooks and wait staff, Bill tended bar and Frances kept the books. The children, now teenagers, provided a steady supply of dishwashers, waitresses and dessert chefs. Always a busy person, Dorothy continued working as the bookkeeper for Coast Hardware. After selling the restaurant in 1972, Dorothy worked for G & S Building Supplies and later managed the Hi Ho Burger # 2. It was there that she acquired her nickname, “Grandma Hi Ho,” from her grandson Jonathan.

In 1981, Dorothy’s career took a new path when she and Vickie Cook Whitford opened Vickie’s Pampered Pet grooming shop in Montalvo. Always a pet lover, Dorothy learned to bathe and groom dogs and cats, and, of course, she handled the books. She greeted customers with a sunny smile and a friendly chat while they were bringing in and picking up their pets. After 25 years, Dorothy retired in 2006.

Dorothy had great fun playing bridge, canasta and other games with friends and family. Dorothy and Bill had a standing Friday night game with Dorothy’s dear brother and sister-in-law, William and Arline Griffith. The couple enjoyed frequent trips to Laughlin, Nevada, as well as a special trip to Glendale, Arizona, with their son Ken and granddaughter Danielle to watch Dodger spring training. Dorothy and Bill also took pleasure in travels to Alaska, Hawaii, Norway and other world destinations.

Dorothy had a generous, accepting presence and touched many people along her journey. She adopted an assortment of dogs, cats and people throughout the years and embraced each with unconditional love. She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. In addition to her husband, Dorothy is survived by her children and their spouses, Karen and Glenn “John” Stallings of Ventura, CA; Pam and Mike Mundy of Seal Beach, CA; Marilyn Whitford of Ojai, CA; Brian and Chris Lind of Grand Junction, CO; and Ken Whitford of Ventura, CA. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Arline Griffith of Ventura, CA; Dorothy Brewster of Bellvue, CO; and Vickie J. Whitford of La Habra Heights, CA; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, friends; and her devoted caregivers, loyal Romeo and “genie” Richard. Dorothy also leaves behind her beloved cats, Dusty and Tabitha Jules.

Private services are being planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Ventura County.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.