Dorothea Evelyn Sallee

Monterey ~ Dorothea Evelyn Sallee, age 92, passed away peacefully on June 11, 2014. Born February 16, 1922 in Cranford, New Jersey to Charles H. Roselle and Gertrude A. James, Dorothea, or Dotte, spent most of her youth in Barrington, Illinois. After graduation, she worked as a telephone operator and switchboard supervisor then, shortly after the war, she returned to New Jersey. It was here she met Ralph W. Sallee, a young sailor stationed at Lakehurst Naval Station. It was a whirlwind courtship and the couple married in 1949. Last month they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary together.

Dorothea and Ralph, a career Navy man, raised two children as they traveled from duty station to duty station - including Hawaii and Guam in the 1950’s and the Philippines and Washington, D.C. during the 1960’s. It was in 1962 the Sallee family first came to the Monterey Peninsula, returning in 1971 to prepare for Ralph’s retirement. Since that time they have lived in, and been actively involved with, the Pacific Grove community. Dorothea was an avid reader and her love of books and her wonderful imagination was a gift she passed down to her children and her grandchildren. She served for a number of years on the board of the Pacific Grove Public Library.

In 1975, Dorothea began a 30-year career with the City of Monterey, working at Colton Hall Museum as an attendant and researcher. She loved her work, the museum and Monterey’s colorful and important history. Her enthusiasm and knowledge enriched the experience of thousands of visitors to Colton Hall - including young students who sat enthralled while she told them the story of California statehood.

Dorothea leaves her husband, Ralph; her son, William James Sallee of Port Angeles, Washington; her daughter, Denise Sallee of Pacific Grove; her beloved grandchildren, Lara Sallee, Eryn Sallee, Brynan Sallee, and Kaitlyn Sallee as well as three great-grandchildren, Addisyn, Elowen, and Finley.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Dr. Craig Christensen, MD and his staff as well as all the wonderful people at Windsor Monterey Care Center for their loving care of Dorothea in her last years. Services will be private and the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her name be given to the Redwings Horse Sanctuary online at www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org or by mail at PO Box 58, Lockwood, CA 93932.