Dorothy and Jim were very special friends of my Aunt Dorel and Uncle Bud (Mr. and Mrs. Nathan B. Cooper).  I remember both Dottie and Jim when we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of my Aunt and Uncle.  I know how much her family must miss her.      Mary Louise Gage, San Jose, California

Gramma, you were a true happy spirit, everyone that knew you and met you saw your beautiful smile..I will always remember that about you and try to go thru life with the same smile when I meet someone for the first time as well. I will truly miss you and I will try and bring up my children with all the memories of you and grandpa so they will always know they have two shining lights that will follow them the rest of their lives. I love you forever...xoxoxo

Saturday's service was a beautiful celebration of a beautiful life! Pastor Greene, who had known Dottie for many years, summed it up by saying it was Dottie's smile and thankful heart that we remember. He read several passages of scripture that say we are to give thanks with a grateful heart. Pondering this, made us realize that it was that grateful and uplifting spirit that had drawn us to her many years ago. When we were with her she always made us feel good about ourselves. It was that winning combination that drew her many friends to her. This included everyone from Jim's associates to the produce people at the local grocery store! Once in her circle of friends she faithfully stayed in touch with cards, notes, and phone calls. This is the Dottie we all knew and loved!!!

Our memories go back 47 years as newlyweds. Dottie and Jim were our first neighbors in E. Whittier. They made us feel very welcome and made us a part of their lives. Jim teased Dottie saying she had a knack for picking up strays wherever she went and we were added to that list!!

When they moved to Merced after Jim's retirement it was as though our friendship had gone full circle. Our families enjoyed many good times together from holidays,birthdays, to simple meals around the table. When invited for dinner, if I said to come at 6 o'clock, that would be the exact time Jim and Dottie would be driving down the driveway. That was the military in Jim!!! Celebrating birthdays together became a tradition since Jim(14th) and Charlie(13th) had birthdays in July and Dottie(20th)and Linda(15th) in February.

There were so many good memories and we choose to remember them over the difficult ones toward the end when Dottie had no recognition of us or our children. It was difficult to accept the fact those wonderful memories were now just one sided.

Dottie's father told her that Dorothy meant "God's gift of love." She definitely was God's gift of love to us wrapped in encouragement,kind words,and a belief in us. We are so grateful she was a part of our lives for these many years and we miss her greatly.

Even though it's difficult to let her go, we know she's with our Heavenly Father and that we will see her again some day.

May the Lord hold the Harding Family in His embrace during this time to comfort and give you peace.

Love,

Charlie and Linda Galatro

It is apparent that Dottie is truly missed by all who knew her. She was a very loving, caring person and brought much joy in our lives. Grateful for all the fond memories.

Our condolences go out to Dianne, Bill and the rest of the family.

Love,
Dan and Marina Galatro

I had the pleasure of meeting dorothy through my daughter Janice who was her caregiver.She was a special lady with her smile and cute personality.She would always be waiting for me and was so happy when Janice told her i was coming to visit. I loved her dearly and will miss her.Rest in peace Dorothy.Mary Price  Turlock,Ca.

Dorothy was one of the sweetest ladies.  It was always a pleasure every year to assist her with signing her tax returns. She always talked about Jim, the love of her life.  It is comforting to know they are now together.  I will miss seeing her and those blue eyes this year.  My most heartfelt sympathy to Dianne (and Janice).

The sun has set in my heart!!  I will make every effort to continue plugging along in the little night light left; however, life will never be the same without my guiding light and protective angel around. Mom was the most loved  person I ever knew, by myself, my dad, my sister, and all our friends.


Your loving son,

Bill













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I will never for get the first day i met dorothy. I was greeted with a smile that never changed over the entire time i knew her. There was never a time she didnt greet me with a kiss on the cheek,smile how are you doing. God has her greeting everyone at the gates of heven i am sure.

                                                                 John Mowrer { merced ca. }

I will always rememeber how pleasant it was to do business with Dorothy.  I first met her and Dianne to help them with the Estate of her late husband.  Dorothy always shared how much she loved her husband.  I know she is very happy to be back with him.  

I have never met any two people who's social security numbers were in sequence.  Dot & Jim's were!!  Amazing one number after the other.  A match made in heaven.  An inspiration to all of us.

I had the pleasure of being Dorothy's caregiver for almost 7 years. The first day I met with her sister-in-law, Dee. We were going over the things I'd need to know like, her age (89), diet restrictions, medicines, likes and dislikes, etc. 

I was thinking she must be frail, walking with a walker or cane. WRONG!   She came into the room, walking with great posture and appeared to be in her early 70's. What a beautiful smile and so sweet. She welcomed me like family from the very start.

She always looked forward to Kathy doing her hair on Wednesdays. We would also go to the Sizzler once or twice a week. She loved to sit in the window and have our favorite waitress, Faye. She always enjoyed the carrot salad, along with visiting any table that had babies or children. They loved her as much as she loved them. Dorothy had many passions; her family, many, many friends, life, and church. She always liked to remember special occasions by sending cards; birthday, anniversary, thinking of you, never wanting to forget anyone's special day. She always looked forward to her birthdays and the parties.

I will miss her so much. I will cherish our memories and always remember her beautiful smile, her charm, and quick wit. She was truly a special lady and brought many special moments to my life.

         You'll forever be loved

                Janice

My Aunt Dottie had a gentle and calming presence about her..I loved her laugh and she was always interested in what I was doing.  I loved when she and Uncle Jim would come for a holiday and I was able to be in town. Uncle Jim and Dad would be telling stories and she would roll her eyes at them and ever so sweetly set them straight!
Aunt Dottie never missed sending a birthday or Christmas card and when I had my own children they were also excited to receive a card just for them.
I have many wonderful memories of Aunt Dottie she really did have a life well lived..

I met Dottie many years ago when Dianne, her daughter and my friend, took me with her on a visit.  From that day forward, I felt like a member of the family.  I loved her kindness, her smile, her warmth.  I am truely thankful to have had her as part of my life, and to have had the opportunity to be a small part of hers.  Rest in Peace, Dottie.

I first met Dorothy when she came in with her daughter Dianne for financial planning advice.  I saw her love of life and remember her great stories about her travels with her husband Jim.  She was proud of what they had accomplished.  I enjoyed the time I spent with Dorothy - she made me laugh and was always attentive to business as well.  A great lady who will be missed.  Dianne has a great sense of humor too - which she probably got from her mom!

I have always said that my Mother was my Dad's gentleness and kind heart.  I now realize she was that for me also. As a child I can never remember a time when she wasn't there to welcome us home from school with her amazing SMILE.  She was always interested in what we were excited about, or even what we were unhappy about....and certainly would  try and make it better. Ours was the house where we all gathered, kids from all over the neighborhood. As an adult, I married, moved away, divorced, and tried to carve out a life for myself.  My parents traveled from Whittier, to Chicago, to Long Island, then to Tampa Florida, and eventually retired in Merced.  During that time, I only visited them in Chicago, but once they returned to California, I tried to visit once a month or so, either from the Southland or then from my home in Pleasanton.  My Mom stayed supportive and loving throughout my entire life!  She always had her special SMILE for me.  She was always excited when I'd visit and couldn't do enough "spoiling" in her special, special way.  I know she is with my Dad and they are forever together in GOD'S embrace. You will always be my gentle heart, Mom.  

Love you forever,
Dianne

Dottie Harding was my sister-in-law ... but, in our hearts we were 'sisters'!  We didn't meet right away because of the distance of where we lived.  We talked on the phone and finally met when she and Dianne came to Moline, Illinois to see her inlaws and Dianne's grandparents, Bill and Jessie Harding.   Dianne was about 13 years old that year.    We formed an instant bond and it grew as the years went by.  How could you NOT love that sweet and caring Dottie.  I loved the times we got together and Jim was so special to me also.  It was a heartache when he passed away.  Dottie and I had so many fun times together and I will remember and treasure all of those memories.  We shared so many moments among them - the love of hummingbirds, stories of our children and a nitely cocktail.  Dottie sent so many birthday cards and spread her loving ways to many. The world is a much sweeter place because of her caring.  Dottie and Jim were so perfect together - a shining example of a loving marriage!  My sympathy and love to Bill and Dianne in their loss of their Mom.

Here's a picture of Dottie and me.

My precious Aunt Dottie,was my Dad's baby sister.  She was a dynamic part of my formative years.

I can remember as a teenager visiting the Harding family, in San Francisco, in the summer.

Aunt Dottie didn't have a car, so we would hop the local transit, and see the highlights of S.F.  She even took me by Johnny Mathis' home, as a teenager, !WOW! that was powerful!

She taught this Texas girl how to cook and eat fresh artichokes and asparagus, which was so Ta-Ta to me. 

And she would paint my fingernails so they looked so pretty, just like her incessantly beautiful manicured hands, such a trademark of her's!

As an adult, she continued to touch my life with lovely visits and her nuturing interest in my 3 sons.

Truly a loving, caring lady....just like her Mama (who was a saint!)

God Bless Aunt Dottie, and I know she has found her Sherriff Family in heaven.

With loving and warm memories!
Georjean Sherriff

I met Dorothy 6 years ago when my mother began caring for her. Dorothy was a sweetheart to me. She loved going to the sizzler and I even joined in a few times. We were blessed to have spent this past Thanksgiving and Christmas with her. I will always remember her loving smile and her warm personality. 
My thoughts and prayers are with the family

We didn't get to spend much time with Dottie but we would describe her as a wonderful gracious lady with a beautiful smile and a warm heart.
Our prayers are with Dianne and her family during this difficult time and hope they gain comfort and strength knowing that Dottie is smiling down upon them joyful as she welcomes the warm embrace of the Lord.

A short conversation with my Aunt Dottie after meeting her and you knew exactly who she was.  A bright, thoughtful woman who was interested in your life and how you were doing.  A devoted mother who was deeply involved in her children's welfare.  Polite, gracious and well-spoken, a gentlewoman in every sense.  And gentle she was, in the way only the very strong can afford to be.

On the occasions I was in her company she always showed me caring attention and great kindness.  I knew it wasn't just me, this was her generous gift to us all.

She made our world a better place by being here and living her life.

We would never visit with Diane without Diane talking about her wonderful Mum. Ron was lucky enough to meet her while he and Charlie J were working on Diane's home. An amazing lady who will be missed by many.

Ron and Lindsay Lowe (Danville)

Dottie, Jim and Dianne have been a huge part of our family celebrations for many years.  Even though Jim and now Dottie have passed, the memories of those wonderful times will live within us forever.  We take great comfort knowing that Dottie is reunited at long last with her one true love..Jim.  We want them to both know that we will watch over their beloved daughter Dianne for them.  God bless the whole family.

The world will certainly miss Dottie's smile and warm, infectious personality. I had the pleasure of spending a few holidays with her and Dianne and the memories will live on fondly in my mind. We will miss you Dottie, much love to those you left behind.  Rest in peace.

While I only had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with Dottie a couple of times, I remember her as a spunky, fun and delightful woman with a wonderful sense of humor.  May her family and everyone who loved her find comfort in their memories.  May she rest in peace and joy in the loving arms of God!

Dottie was one of the nicest people I've known and I always enjoyed her company and laughter during the holidays. I'm sorry to hear of her passing and wish you and your family the best during this time.

Aunt Dottie was such a special lady, Carolyn and I loved her dearly and we shall miss her cards for the special days of celebrating she sent to us. God
Bless You in this difficult time.

Harold and Carolyn Longhofer

Bev and I met Diane and Jim (aka The Commander) on a white water rafting trip down the Colorado River. Dottie didn't come, but she later graciously invited us to her lovely home in Merced, and we were treated to a weekend trip to Yosemite. Dottie was a great hostess, and we will always remember her warmth and friendliness. Dottie's family and friends will surely miss this charming lady. 

Bev & Gene Bolsius
Hiawassee, GA.

The sky has another very bright star and we are losing a beautiful light here on earth with the passing of sweet Dottie.  Her very gentle nature and constant smile will be remembered about her.  We will miss her very much.  Dianne was always the loving daughter.

Dianne became my friend through Sandy Sperling.  I had the joy of meeting Dottie when Dianne brought her up to see the horses.  Her smile was so genuine and she loved being outside and sharing Dianne's love and her friends.  She will be missed.

Very sorry for the loss you are feeling. Dottie was a very special, loving and genuine person. She was beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. I hope you find comfort knowing that she is in heaven with our Heavenly Father and that we will joyfully reunite with her someday there! Since she has been part of my memories for as long as I can remember, she will be truly missed. I loved her dearly. Hugs to you Dianne and the other family members. xoxox

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Dorothy Marion Harding

20 février 1917 – 12 mars 2013

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home

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