Dorolyn Joan Steele

Dorolyn Steele died peacefully Monday, May 18, 2015, surrounded by her family following a courageous struggle with cancer. Her name was a combination of her parent’s names, Dorothy and Charles Franklin, much to her chagrin. She was a native Venturan, having lived her entire life in Ventura, California. Dorolyn attended local schools and graduated from Ventura High School and Ventura College, later receiving a teaching credential from Fresno State University.

Dorolyn met and married Bob Steele; they had 2 children, a daughter, Lynn and a son, Mark. She taught elementary school for 37 years before retiring from Oxnard School District. Her longest teaching assignment was at Sierra Linda Elementary School for the last 16 years of her career.

Dorolyn enjoyed lunches with the “Ventura Women”, a group that met monthly, all of whom had known each other most of their lives.

Her life philosophy was summed up with her oft-repeated motto: “It is what it is.”

Dorolyn accepted life as it came, and expressed gratitude for the good fortune in her life.

She valued the time she lived at Lemonwood Community, where she enjoyed Pinot Grigio on the Lido Deck with good friends in the early evenings.

Dorolyn will be remembered for her quick wit and her sardonic sense of humor. Her stubbornness and generosity were legendary. She had a mind of her own, and a definite opinion regarding the acceptable manner in which household chores should be accomplished. Dorolyn was a remarkable hostess. She was extremely proud of her grandchildren and reveled in their achievements.

Dorolyn is survived by her daughter Lynn Steele and spouse Donna Gorman of Aptos; her son Mark Steele and wife Kathy, and grandchildren, Cameron and Samantha, all of Scotts Valley; her sister Lorraine (Bob), sister Beverly, and sister-in-law Marilyn (Steve), as well as several nieces. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, to whom she was married for 53 years.

The Steele Family would like to extend a special thanks to Janet Coleman, an amazing Hospice Nurse, for her loving care, patience, and support.

If you would like to make a donation in Dorolyn’s name, please make a contribution to the elementary school library of your choice. She loved to read, and, as a teacher had a particular interest in literacy.

Dorolyn was loved by many and will be deeply missed. We will always carry the memory of her in our hearts.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, June 27, 2:00 pm, at Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura.