Dorothy Kennedy

Dorothy Kennedy was a person who had a way of making people feel very special. She loved to surprise people with gifts. If they admired something that she had or was wearing, she would make sure that person received that as a gift.

Dorothy had a "southern charm" that drew people to her and made them lifelong friends. She could be quiet and reserved, but her style of communication was warm and authentic. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her.

Dorothy came into this world on July 25th, 1924 at home on a farm in Coleman, Texas. Her parents were Sadie and Jesse Netherton. She often recounted many fond memories of growing up on the farm in Coleman, helping her Mom and Dad with chores and riding her horse "Ole Nellie".

She reminisced about the wonderful large family gatherings where she and her cousins Evelyn and Jimmy Netherton (Jimmy was a girl) spent the night at her grandparents house and searched the rocky hills behind their house for indian arrowheads.

As an only child she spent many hours having to play by herself and developed a wonderful imagination. Her mother taught her to read when she was very young, thus making it possible for her to skip second grade due to her advanced reading abilities.

She graduated from Mozelle High School, at age 15, in 1940. She was especially fond of English class which enhanced her writing abilities. She will be remembered by classmates for acting in school plays and earning good grades. She was a member of the Future Homemakers of Texas and was a delegate to a conference in Fort Worth. One of her most prestigious awards was a homemaking prize where she was awarded a trip to Galveston, Texas. She was on the ballot for the most beautiful girl in high school. She had an interest in becoming a homemaking teacher and was an officer in the Homemaking Club.

Dorothy attended Tarleton College where she majored in homemaking. After two years, in 1942, she decided to go to Draughon's Business College where she received a scholarship. Following college, she worked as an office manager for Tastie Bakery in Abilene. On weekends she loved to go dancing.

Her cousins, Evelyn and Jimmy, remained friends for life and her friend Jane Hawthorne was a lifelong friend from grade school through college. After moving to Poway, California in the 1960's, she was good friends with her neighbor Judy Waite and Judy's daughters Jennifer and Jill. Having known Jennifer and Jill since they were little girls, she felt they were like grandchildren. She loved receiving pictures and cards from them.

Dorothy met Lt. Eldon Franklin Kennedy (USMC) on the steps of Draughon's Business College where he stopped her and told her she looked like the movie star Carole Lombard. They dated for a number of months and were married on March 2, 1945 at a minister's home in Abilene. Following their marriage, they lived in numerous locations in the United States as a military family.

Dorothy had two daughters, Pamela and Carolyn and one son, Craig. Her three grandchildren include Michelle Dutton, Melanie Kennedy and Suzanne Grimm. She was always there for her children. When the girls were in grade school she made all of their clothes and they wore them proudly.

Dorothy projected subtle, but positive influences in her workplace. Even though her store manager was not well liked, she would add her own money to the collection to buy him a nicer birthday gift. She was that kind of a person, always thinking of other's feelings. She took pride in being a bookkeeper and was very meticulous to make sure everything was correct. She was employed for 14 years by Lucky Stores.

Dorothy showed her creative spirit by writing down the adventures of her childhood and recounting every detail of her carefree, wonderful days with her cousins. She loved to memorize poems and could recite them at will. Playing scrabble was a pleasurable pastime and to the dismay of her opponents, she usually won.

Dorothy was one who put forth her best effort in every aspect of her life and that carried over to her participation in sports as well. In high school she loved to play volleyball and later in life enjoyed bowling and golf. She was an active member of the Women's Golf Club at Miramar Naval Station and enjoyed watching golf tournaments on TV. She enjoyed the horse races also.

Dorothy's attitude of working to make every day better was a way of life for her. She found that volunteering her time to the San Diego Historical Society was very rewarding. She was very interested in politics and followed the political scene very closely. She was a "Sam Rayburn" Democrat, just like her father.

Dorothy's faith was important to her and helped see her through the hard times as well as remembering to give thanks for the many blessings in her life. She was a Protestant.

Dorothy loved to travel and her favorite vacations included taking cruises to Alaska, Hawaii and the Caribbean, traveling in the Western United States and returning to visit her hometown of Coleman.

Dorothy was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. When she was growing up on the farm she had sixteen cats and three dogs--all at once! Later in life she had a beloved cat named Bootsie. They were best friends for over 10 years.

As someone who treasured harmony and quiet, Dorothy enjoyed retirement and made the most of it. That day finally came in 1984, and Dorothy was well prepared. In retirement, she found new pleasure in traveling, memorizing poetry, reading, watching TV, walking, and enjoying the holidays (she made a wonderful dressing).

Dorothy passed away on June 25, 2010 at Richview Senior Resident Home in Bonita, California. Dorothy fought a courageous battle against ovarian cancer. She is survived by daughters, Pam Gillow and Carolyn Grimm; son, Craig Kennedy; granddaughters, Michelle Dutton, Melanie Kennedy and Suzanne Grimm; son-in-law, George Gillow and companion, Paul Osler. Services were held at The Little Chapel of Roses. Dorothy was laid to rest in Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California.