December 18, 1926 ~ April 8, 2012
Salinas ~ Lifelong Monterey County resident Dorothy Melville Smith passed away on Easter Sunday at her home. Born December 18, 1926 in Monterey, she was the granddaughter of two local pioneers, James Purvey Pugh and Henry F. Melville. Her mother’s family emigrated from Switzerland and settled near Greenfield.
Dorothy married Alva E. Smith on May 25, 1946 in Pacific Grove. They met at the Del Monte Skating Rink during World War II. Dorothy was a member of American Legion Post 589 and was an active volunteer.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Gary Smith of Chico and Cheryl Smith of Mariposa; her grandchildren, Nicole Lowery of Salinas and Wyatt Smith of Chico; her two great-granddaughters; her brother, Douglas Melville of Cave Junction OR and her sister, Barbara Mead of Nampa ID. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alva, in 1991.
A Celebration of Dorothy’s Life will be held in the near future. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, 1514-A Moffett St., Salinas, 93905 or the Monterey County SPCA, PO Box 3058, Monterey, 93942.
