Dorothy was born on July 31, 1934 in Limón, Costa Rica to Cordelia Albertha Lindo-Wright and Clifford Rudolph Colville Henriquez. She was the second oldest of four siblings. Her family moved to República de Panama, where she attended the local schools and learned to speak English.
She emigrated to the United States (Florida) in 1956, and later became a naturalized US citizen in 1978. Although she had aspired to one day be a nurse, she ultimately found her calling in the food service industry. She worked in various domestic and food service jobs, including elementary school cafeterias, retail delicatessens, as well as tending bar and private catering jobs. Dorothy met and married Chester A. Ivy in Houston, Texas in 1965 (divorced 1981), and from that union two daughters were born.
She was passionate and unapologetic about her love of God! Dorothy lived life to the fullest and could often be heard saying, “I’m blessed to see another day!” in response to those asking how she was doing!
She enjoyed game shows (Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune and Family Feud), traveling, swimming, Bingo or just helping others. Dorothy was a loyal member and frequent volunteer at Our Lady of Mount Carmel for over 40 years. She later attended Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church. Fluent in Spanish, Dorothy would often “step in” to translate when she saw fellow Houston Spanish-speakers struggling to communicate with others.
She loved to travel, both domestically and internationally; she was a regular on cruises, trips to Hot Springs, Coushatta Resort, Jacksonville (FL), Brooklyn, Southern and Northern California. She once attended a cheese convention in Berlin, Germany, while working in the deli at Spec’s Liquors! Even in retirement, Dorothy remained an active senior, participating in water aerobics at “the Y”, taking daily walks, playing Bingo or Uno (with her grandkids) or chauffeuring other senior citizens. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of America, the 55-Plus Club, New Generation and various other travel groups. More recently as she began to slow down, she enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles and word search puzzles.
“Dorothy”, “Dorotea”, “Dora”, “Dot”, “Aunt Dotty”, “Granny” or “Mama” as she was known, is lovingly survived by two daughters – Diane Demetra Ivy Cole (Reginald) of Houston, TX, and Canetta Inez Ivy Reid (William) of Grand Rapids, MI; a brother – Wayne Arturo Hall (Hortencia) of Brooklyn, NY; nine grandchildren – LyToshia “Tasha” Denise Watts, Autumn Janeica Terrell-Cole, Antoinette Denice Cole, Torika Cole Rogers (Anthony), Reginald Eugene Cole, Jr., Reginald Rashad Cole, William Marcus Reid, Tia Dawn Reid, and Reese Dion Reid; four great grandchildren – Malia Danae Aguillard, Tielynn Lyneil Cole, Royalty Marie Cole, and Melody Diane Aguillard; a host of nieces and nephews, including two daughter-nieces -- Venus Backey and Glenda Gibson (Ernest) of Jacksonville, FL; and lots of dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, Cordelia and Clifford; her ex-husband, Chester Ivy; and her sisters, Beverly Barnette and Elena Johnson.
Visitation is at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX on Thursday, January 21, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 4600 Reed Rd., Houston, TX at 10:00 am on Friday, January 22, 2021, with the Rosary Service at 9:15 am before Mass, and streamed live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EarthmanBellaire/. Burial will take place at Earthman Resthaven Cemetery, 3102 North Fwy, Houston, TX, at 9:30 am on Saturday, January 23, 2021. All are welcome to attend all of these events to celebrate Dorothy’s life.
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