Dorothy Ho Vigilante

Dorothy Ho Vigilante born in Honolulu, Oahu in 1931 and raised in Hanalei, Kauai, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2026 in Denver. A graduate of Maryknoll High School (1949) in Honolulu and Boston University (BA 1952, MA 1954), she taught primarily Spanish and Latin as well as English and French in Hawaii, Massachusetts and California. While teaching at Dana Point Junior High School in San Diego she met her future husband, David, beginning a marriage that would flourish for more than sixty years.

After marrying, Dorothy stepped away from teaching to devote herself fully to raising her family. She made San Diego her home for over six decades, filling her children’s lives with weekly trips to the Zoo and SeaWorld and nurturing in them a lifelong love of travel, culture, and nature. Her home was a place of curiosity, warmth, learning, and adventure.

Dorothy later returned to education as a volunteer, teaching Spanish at the University of San Diego High School and ESL to international students at UC San Diego. She shared her kindness, enthusiasm, and the spirit of ‘ohana with students from around the world.

Affectionately known as Dot or Dodo to her husband and close friends, she was an avid baker, an animal lover—especially bunnies—and a gifted storyteller who delighted in reminiscing, laughing, and celebrating her Hawaiian heritage. She carried the values of her island upbringing throughout her life, along with a playful streak of pilikia that endeared her to everyone who knew her.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, two children, and five grandchildren. She is now reunited with her parents, many beloved relatives and friends, and our Heavenly Father.

Aloha nui loa. A hui hou.

A note from the family:

If you have a special photo or memory of Dorothy please share it in the online guestbook so we can celebrate her life together. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

Rather than sending flowers, please consider honoring Dorothy's memory with a contribution to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or support a charity close to your own heart.