Dorothy Marie Tilley

Dorothy was born, Dorothy Marie Carpenter, April 10th, 1930, in South Gate, California.  Dorothy was the second daughter, and youngest child of 4 of Earl and Bessie Carpenter.  Dorothy’s younger years were spent in both Downey and Huntington Park, California.  Dorothy graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1948.  

After graduation, she met her future husband, Rufus Edgar “Ed” Tilley.  They were married, August 19th, 1951 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  Ed was serving in the Army in Korea, and Dorothy lived in San Luis Obispo from 1951 to 1953.  When Ed returned from his service in the military, they moved back to Downey.  Except for two years in Tucson, Arizona, Dorothy spent the next 53 years in Downey. 

In 2006, Dorothy sold her Downey home and moved to Laguna Niguel, California where she spent the next 10 years.  In 2016, Dorothy moved into a condo in Dana Point, California.  Around 2018, Dorothy started showing signs of Dementia.  She spent one more year in Dana Point before moving into an Assisted Living facility in San Juan Capistrano, California where she spent another year.  In August of 2020, Dorothy moved to a Board and Care, Granny’s Place in Mission Viejo, California.  She was there until she was admitted into the hospital, 8 days before she passed away.

In 1953, Dorothy gave birth to her only child, a son, John Tilley.  Dorothy is survived by her son John, her daughter-in-law, Karen Tilley, her four grandchildren, Alyson Tilley Cornelius, Kirk Tilley, Shannon Tilley, and Erin Tilley.  Dorothy has two great grandchildren.  Henry, and Adeline Cornelius. 

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Tilley, her mother and father, and her 3 siblings, Lucille Carpenter Huntsman, Robert Carpenter, and Floyd Carpenter. 

Dorothy worked for many years for newspapers doing display advertising.  She worked over 25 years for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. 

Dorothy loved her family and she loved spoiling her son and grandkids!  She loved going out to eat, loved animals, especially giraffes, elephants, dogs, and horses.  She loved to travel, and frequently went with John and his family to Hawaii, Alaska, numerous cruises, Paris, and other trips to Europe.  She also loved going to Las Vegas, and to New York City.  She loved the bright lights, and playing slot machines. 

A celebration of life for Dorothy will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, 3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona Del Mar, California 92625. Following the celebration of life will be a graveside service .

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.pacificviewcalifornia.com for the Tilley family.