Dorothy Marion Leveque

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dorothy Marion Leveque (nee Crutcher) on December 17, 2024, at the age of 80. Dottie was born on May 16, 1944, in Duluth, MN., to James and Marion Crutcher (nee Thole). Dottie was married to her husband, Kenneth Leveque (d.1995) for sixteen blessed years. She embraced and celebrated the title of ‘other’ mother to Michelle (d.1987) and Jeannette Leveque providing unwavering guidance and support throughout their lives. As a devoted grandmother to Kelsey (d. 2016), Charles, Ella, and Nolan Kosenesky she was a role model and confidant. She was the loving older sister of Barbara Claussen, Steve (d. 1988), James, and Joan Stevens (d. 2018). She was always considered the favorite “Aunt Dottie” by her loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dottie was a dedicated lifelong learner, earning her bachelor’s degree in education from The College of Saint Teresa in Winona, MN. She continued her formal education earning a master’s degree in theology from Saint Mary’s College of California in Moraga, CA. Dottie continued her pursuit for knowledge earning her Doctoral Degree in Education from the University of Southern California (USC). Dottie was a proud Trojan and would return to USC after earning her Ed.D. to become a part-time professor where she inspired and mentored future educators.

Dottie was a remarkable educator who dedicated 38 years of her life to making a difference in the lives of students and communities both near and far. Dottie began her teaching career in Bloomington, MN and then moved to New Mexico where she taught on the Navajo Reservation. This experience helped to develop her deep appreciation for diverse cultures and a commitment to inclusive education. Dottie moved to California and began to climb the professional ladder in education, serving in administrative roles starting from Vice Principal to eventually achieving the role of an Assistant Superintendent of the Ontario-Montclair School District.

Upon her retirement from the US education system, Dottie had the opportunity to travel to Australia, Ireland, and eventually South Africa. After her first visit to South Africa, Dottie shared that she had found her “second home,” loving the culture, people, wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. Dottie bought a house in South Africa so that she could dedicate more time to her volunteer work there. These experiences volunteering with different organizations led to her development of a non-profit organization named Pathways/Africa which empowers collaboration for the development of sustainable resources in Africa. She also volunteered with KidCare International helping to build schools and other programs throughout Africa and the world. She started a literacy program called Pathways to African Literacy (PAL). PAL’s mission was to provide funds for literacy materials, establish school gardens, and create feeding programs for students. Dottie was also able to obtain funding for two literacy grants in Cape Town through her Rotary Club memberships in both Ontario, California and Cape Town, South Africa, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to expanding educational opportunities worldwide.

Dottie’s adventurous spirit led her to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, ride an elephant in Egypt, trek into the middle of a pyramid in Giza, pet cheetahs in South Africa, and take a hot air balloon ride over the African Safari. Dottie’s love of nature and wildlife was reaffirmed after her first experience taking an African Safari. This life-altering experience ignited her passion for sharing the Safari experience with others and she created SafariDotTravel where she planned and led bi-annual Safari’s for different groups of people. In 2015, Dottie authored a book, A Journey of Hope - 16 Days in Tanzania which chronicled her 2011 humanitarian trip to Tanzania and highlighted her belief that positive change can happen through raising and allocating funds appropriately, building long-term relationships, and setting goals together. Any person lucky enough to experience Dottie’s hospitality while visiting South Africa would experience such places as; Spire Wine Estate, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, Boulders Beach, False Bay, Robben Island, Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. Her pride and love for South Africa was evident in all her words and actions.

Throughout Dottie’s life she followed the teaching of the Catholic faith and would volunteer her time to the church through weekly ministry. Dottie’s legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the values she embodied: a passion for lifelong learning, a commitment to inclusive education and diversity, honoring and protecting nature and wildlife, and the relentless pursuit of making the world a better place through compassion and volunteer work. She will be deeply missed, but her impact on others and the world will endure.

Memorial Mass to be held on February 1, 2025, at 9:45 a.m.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church

17270 Ward Street

Fountain Valley, CA 92708

In remembrance of Dottie's life, the family asked that any charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. www.alz.org