Dorothy Della Wallingsford

Dorothy Della Wallingsford, 97, of Yorba Linda, California, went to be with her Lord, September 7, 2018, at 7:14 am. Dorothy was born at Plain City, Utah, July 28, 1921, to Charles Elmer Richardson and Sylvia Eugenia (Westberg, Miller) Richardson and grew up on a farm.  She graduated from Weber High School in 1939 and attended Weber College.  She met Raymond William Wallingsford at a USO dance at Hill Army Airfield, Ogden Utah (now Hill AFB) in 1942 where she was employed as a civilian worker and where Ray was stationed.  They were married in Dorothy’s parents’ home in Ogden after World War II when Ray returned from serving in New Guinea in 1946.  They purchased a home in Los Angeles, California, later moved to La Habra, California, and in 1964 purchased their final home in Yorba Linda, California. Dorothy initially worked in the family business, Allbrite Auto Chemicals, performing office and accounting duties.  She later transitioned to being a housewife as her three sons, Dennis, Don, and Brent became her primary focus. Dorothy had a passion for helping people and promoting charitable causes.  She was active at the La Habra and Yorba Linda Methodist Churches, the Yorba Linda Friends of the Library, The Susanna Bixby Bryant Ranch Museum, the Yorba Linda Historical Society, the Yorba Linda Senior Citizens’ Group, the Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.), the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, the Cub Scouts, and the Parent Teacher Association.  In an interview with the Orange County Register in 2007 she stated, “People need to give back, they can’t just be takers, they have to give back in order to be part of the community.”  She donated her time and resources to any cause that she deemed worthy.  In 1977 she was awarded Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce.  She was Citizen of the Year of Yorba Linda in 2008 and also the Grand Marshal for the annual Fiesta Days parade. She is preceded in death by her husband Ray Wallingsford, her brother Linn Richardson, and her daughter-in-law Penny Wallingsford. She is survived by her three sons, Dennis, Don, and Brent Wallingsford, her grandchildren Melissa Wallingsford, Summer Wenzel, Alisa Miller, and her great granddaughter Olivia Wenzel. A memorial service and celebration of life will be conducted at the Yorba Linda Methodist Church 19002 Yorba Linda Blvd. Yorba Linda, CA 92886 on October 20, 2018 at 3:00 p.m. Thank you to Bryant Ranch Guest Manors, Everlasting Hospice, and her many friends who cared and visited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yorba Linda Historical Society.