Dorothy June Folena

June 16, 1920 - February 25, 2025

Resident of Sacramento

Dorothy June Folena (Dupzyk) was born in San Francisco on June 16,1920 and passed away on February 25, 2025. She is preceded in death by parents Paul and Alice Dupzyk, husband of 40 years Leo Folena, brothers (Milford and Stanley), and son-in-law Randy. She is survived by her son Richard (Barbara) and daughter Carol Reid, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dorothy graduated from Sacramento High School and attended elementary school at St. Francis on K Street. Dorothy enjoyed playing softball when she was a teenager.

She married Leo Folena on June 15, 1940. They were happily married for 40 years. Dorothy and Leo had their home built in 1941 where she lived until her death. They along with their neighbors transformed their block to a Christmas adventure. It was known as Christmas Card Lane. People from all over Sacramento came to see their creations. Later when her children were school age she was a Cub Scout leader and a Camp Fire Girl leader. But her real love was baseball. She was always the official score keeper for Little League and Babe Ruth teams and later the official for the Sacramento American Legion team.

She earned her 75 year pin from the Native Daughters of the Golden West, Califia Parlor 22. She was a member of their drill team that participated in numerous parades in Sacramento. She held the position of recording secretary for over 50 years. She was still attending their monthly meeting either in person or on zoom/phone until she passed away. She would often go with her friends Betty and Dorothy to different parlors fundraisers and social events also going to the Grand Parlor meetings. She was very involved in the luncheons that were held to raise funds for the Native Daughters Children’s Foundation. The Elks Lodge was another place she volunteered. Her brother Milford and she would help serve dinners and she was designated the “salad lady”.

From 1963-1986 she was the school secretary at St. Mary’s School. She coached many girls volleyball and softball teams at St. Mary’s. After she retired she enjoyed going on cruises with her friend Dolores (maid of honor) and any trip that came up. She also was a big fan of the Oakland A’s. She and her friend Dolores bought season tickets and enjoyed going to the home games on weekends. Until this day the Oakland A’s are her team and she knew all the players by name. We even celebrated her “101” birthday at the Oakland ball park with her friend Denise and her family along with having her name on the billboard. When she wasn’t watching baseball, on Thursdays you would find her at Country Club Bowl with her ladies bowling group. At 100 she stopped bowling because of the Covid pandemic and decided at 102 that she was retiring her bowling ball but still enjoyed going to watch their team bowl. Her biggest joy in life was watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play their competitive sports. She was their biggest fan always cheering them on.

All are welcome to attend the rosary to be held on Wednesday, March 12th at 6:30 PM at Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home in Sacramento. A funeral mass will be held Thursday, March13, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Church 1333 58th Street, Sacramento burial to follow funeral at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s ResearchHospital or the Native Daughters Golden West Children’s Foundation