I wondered why after all these years - more than 30 - I did not receive a Christmas card. Now I know. Dorothy and Earl were wonderful people and wonderful friends. First Earl and now Dorothy will be missed. Harold Black (Knoxville, TN).

TO THE BRADLEY FAMILY.....I JUST HEARD OF DOROTHY'S PASSING....SHE WAS A DEAR PERSON WHO KEPT IN TOUCH WITH ME SINCE I MOVED TO ARIZONA IN 1996.  I ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO HER CHRISTMAS LETTER WITH ALL OF THE NEWS OF YOU, BRIAN, AND OF THE MARIA LORETO COMMUNITY.  SHE LEFT AN IDELIBLE MARK ON NUMEROUS LIVES THAT SHE TOUCHED.  GOD BLESS HER.

Thank you, dear Dorothy, for being such a delightful neighbor! I will miss seeing you around our valle.

Rita

Dear Dennis and Lisa and Brian
and Steve:
I would like to express my most sincere sympathy to all of you during this difficult time.  My mom is so grateful that she and Aunt Joyce were able to visit with all of you and Aunt Dorothy last Spring!  You are in our thoughts and prayers now and in the days ahead.  Your mom and grandma was a remarkable lady who embraced life and accepted people at face value.  We can all learn from that!  Her memory lives on!
with love from your cousin,
Diane Starnes Langlands

Some people spend a lifetime wondering if they made a difference.Dorthy Bradley didn't have that problem.She was admired and respected by all who knew this fine, fine lady.It was our great fortune that she touched our lives and we are indeed Blessed to have known her.

Dennis & Lisa,
 
So very sorry to hear about your Mom. I certainly have wonderful memories of their visits to Charlottesville. But, it was after graduation, on my multiple trips to Marin, where I got to know her best. She always welcomed me into her home ......almost like a lost son.... serving excellent meals and introducing me to her friends. Always a smile and never (in her life perhaps?) a bad word about anyone or anything. And, Christmas cards every year, although I was unreliable about returning that gesture. She gave me a taste of home.
 
Unfortunately, I am late responding due to a similar event in my family. My Dad died on the 10th after a few difficult weeks fighting a losing battle with emphesema. This past weekend, my brothers and several cousins flew in for a funeral and some life celebrating parties (we pretended to be Irish). So, we are going through a similar process and I wish you both the best as you try to deal with it all. 
 
Cliff

I have known Dorothy as a neighbor and friend for 23 years.
 I met her soon after Earl died, and was impressed than at how positive she was. when my own husband died 12 years later she was very supportive to me, including feeding me for the first six months. I always knew I could count on her for an encouraging word, afternoon glass of wine or morning coffee ( and cookies).

 My granddaughters looked forward to visiting her and called her Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz. I remember when she first brought Brian home as an infant to care for him while Lisa worked and how conscientious she was with his feedings and care. 

My mother also became friends with Dorothy and visited her when she was in town  to visit me. One evening that my mother remembers fondly was when she and Dorothy sat on the floor in Dorothy's house and ate dinner and had wine and talked like teenagers late into the night. She sends her love and sympathy to you.

I always knew Dorothy was awake when I heard her humming and the garage door go up. I felt she kept the neighborhood safe as she was always aware of what was going on, who was out of town, and who was moving. She loved meeting all of the neighborhood pets, and would take treats with her on her walks.
I am so glad that I saw her and had a delightful lunch and visit just three weeks ago. She was so proud of Brian and his progress at Davis. She talked about making soups and other food for him and his room-mates. And I know how he loved his Nana.

I will miss her cheerful calls and visits. I feel lucky to have had her as a friend, and my sympathies to Dennis, Lisa, Brian and Steve.
Sherry Temple

As one of the Pacheco Valley walking bunch, Dorothy's smile and good natured banter provided a Norman Rockwell touch making our valley an even more desirable place to live.

Whenever she mentioned her grandson, her smile blossomed even more.  She was one of the "good eggs" in the valley and will be sorely missed.

Rick and Rita Johnson

Dennis and Steve, 
Kim sent me an email telling me of Aunt Dorothy's death and I wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear the news.  Though it has been many years since I have seen all of you, and long distances apart prevented us being in close contact, I nevertheless have fond memories of the times I did get to see all of you.  Aunt Dorothy was ALWAYS so upbeat and smiling each time I saw her.  I am so sorry for your loss and offer my prayers for all of you.

Dorothy was the nicest neighbor!  

Always walking, always chipper and happy to tell us something about Brian.  She loved many neighbors' babies (which is how I met her), reading in her garage, walking many times a day, chatting with neighbors. 
I do miss seeing her as I enter and leave the neighborhood.

Carole Hollander, Novato

Dennis, Steve, Brian and Lisa,
May your wonderful memories of your loving mother and nana provide you comfort. She was such a giving person and always was the hostess with the mostess!  She loved all of you so much.
When we would talk she would always provide an update on how all or you were doing.  Brian, she was so PROUD of you and I could always see her smile over the phone when she talked of you.   God Bless all of you!
Love, 
Kim

February 19, 2010

Dorothy and I exchanged waves on our daily walks in Pacheco Valle for over 20 years.  We would often stop to comment on what a beautiful day it was and how very lucky we were to live in such a beautiful place.  She was always upbeat and cheerful with that lovely smile.  I can't imagine those walks without seeing her.  God bless you Dorothy and enjoy your walks in heaven.  I will really miss you.

Ginny Hanna, Novato

I couldn't believe my eyes when I picked up the IJ today and saw Dorothy's picture...I just saw her when she walked by our house on Monday.  On her daily walks she would always wave and ask about the boys...we will all miss her very much.  There is no sweeter woman.

I REMEMBER WHEN DOROTHY, EARL, AND 'WRANGLER' MOVED INTO THE VALLE ALL THOSE YEARS AGO. SINCE THEN WE HAVE TALKED, WALKED, AND REMEMBERED THOSE WHO HAVE GONE. HER BRIGHT SPIRIT AND LOVING KINDNESS WILL BE A GREAT LOSS TO ALL OF US IN THE VALLE.

Dennis, Lisa, Brian, Steve
 
Please accept my sincere condolences on Mrs. Bradley’s passing.  I remember very clearly what fun we had when she and Earl would come to Charlottesville and how much we enjoyed their visits, not to mention the fact that on numerous occasions she saved us from probable starvation with timely deliveries of homemade food!
 
She was a wonderful person and I know she will be deeply missed.
 
Love
 
Bill

Lisa:  I feel the same as Pete does.  Sometimes friends' memories of a parent are not at all what the child recalls.  After my father died, friends told me stories that not only were unfamiliar, but made me see a side of my father I had not seen before.  My fondest memory of Mrs. Bradley was the time Dennis' family visited us in Charlottesville, in our third year, when most of us lived in a house a few miles outside the city.  The Bradley family had a boxer (canine, not pugilist) prone to drooling.  Mrs. Bradley watched the dog like a hawk and was ever ready to wipe his jowls with a handful of paper towels she carried for that purpose.  And I thought, if she only knew what had been spilled, sloshed and strewn across those floors, she wouldn't bother.  I will call, but in the meantime please tell Dennis how sorry we are to hear this news.  And tell him to get an email account.  Tad

Lisa and Dennis,
 
Every one of us loved Mrs. Bradley.  We have really fond memories from college and after.  I remember going to wine country with you two and Dorothy after your wedding.  
 
I'm very sad to hear that she passed away.  I'd like to talk to you all when you are not so busy.
 
Peter

Dearest Dennis, Lisa and Brian, I was so shocked to come to work on Thursday to hear the shocking news.  We always talked about our moms--how they are the same age, my mom unable to walk because he her Multiple Schlerosis, and your mom healthy and happy and baking her special peanut butter cookies.  Life seems so unfair at times.  At least your mom is with your dad and I am sure they are toasting a glass of fine wine together.
My prayers are with you and your family.

I had noticed this wonderful happy gal who walked in our dear Pacheco Valle for many year but recently got the chance to visit with her and shared some of our sad times, and joyful times.  She was a joy to behold and made sunshine every place she went even on rainy, stormy grey days.  You were very special to her all of her family, grand child and many friends here in the valley.  So many of us will miss seeing her glowing around here making us all feel good. May you be comforted knowing how dear she was to so many people!

You will be dearly missed on our afternoon walks Dorothy.  Pacheco Valley will never be the same without you.  We love you!

I drive through Pacheco Valle almost daily and if I saw her, she would always smile and wave, even though I didn't know her.  No matter what kind of day I was having, seeing her smiling face would always brighten it up.  I will miss this sweet stranger and I'm sorry for your loss.

I have known Mrs. Bradley since I was 2 1/2 years old.  She was my "Other Mom".  I always knew that if something ever happened to my Mom, I would go live with her.  She was such a giving person, and her home was always a place where you felt loved and welcome.    I know she was welcomed in heaven by Mr. Bradley, and is now settled into her eternal home.  She will be greatly missed.

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your mother and my aunt.  I believe I was only six when I last saw her but even so I remember how kind and gentle she was. My father talked of her often and was proud of what she had achieved. I will miss her yearly Christmas updates. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers.

When moving here to Pacheco Valle in 2005, Dorothy was one of the first people we met - the Mayor Of PV, indeed!  Her kindness and support of everyone in the neighborhood was an outer sign of the loving kindness that lived within her.  John and I will miss her presence in our lives daily.

To Dorothy Bradley the mayor of Pacheco Valley.  I also take a daily walk and always ran into Dorothy, it just isn't the same. I will miss the constant smile on her face, her kindness and most of all how much she loved her family.  We would talk about what she fixed for her dinner guest the night before and the next thing I would know the recipe would be in my mailbox.  To Dennis, Lisa, Brian and the entire family, my heart hurts for you. I can't stop thinking of you and will see you Saturday.  Love to all Toni Rosenberg Toomey.

I am in shock just learning of Dorothy's much too early passing. I came to know her several years ago while on my daily walks in Pacheco Valley and just about every day since, until this past Monday, she would stop to chat with me and my dog, Dakota. What a beautiful, funny, soulful woman she was. I so enjoyed the time I got to spend walking and talking with her. I will miss her and the valley will be forever changed without her smile.

Please know that my heart and prayers are with all of you at this time. Aunt Dorothy will surely be missed! Sending lots of love to you during this difficult time.

aunt dorothy sorry we have not seen you in so long we allways liked your letters and to dennis@steve we are very sorry for your loss god bless and love mavis williams @familey

MY HUSBAND, KENNON, AND I LIVED IN PACEHCO VALLEY FOR 18 YEARS, BEFORE MOVING TO SANTA ROSA 4 YEARS AGO. DOROTHY WAS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE WE MET WHEN MOVING INTO PACHECO VALLEY, AND WE BECAME INSTANT FRIENDS. HAVING BEEN A HAIRDRESSER FOR MOST OF MY LIFE, I NOT ONLY CUT DOROTHY'S HAIR ALL OF THE YEARS I LIVED THERE, BUT ALSO LISA'S, BRIAN'S, STEVES', AND MISSED THEM ALL SO MUCH AFTER WE MOVED AWAY.  WHEN OUR FIRST GRANDDAUGHTER,KRISTINA WAS BORN, DOROTHY ALWAYS CAME TO SEE HER EVERY MONDAY, AS SHE CAME TO STAY OVERNIGHT WITH US. NEVER WAS THERE A MORE CARING, LOVING PERSON THAN DOROTHY. ANYONE IN PACHECO VALLEY WHO NEEDED A CARING FRIEND KNEW THEY COULD COUNT ON DOROTHY. THERE JUST AREN'T ENOUGH TEARS THAT CAN BE SHED FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL PERSON; NOW SHE CAN GO "HOME" TO MEET EARL AGAIN, WHOM SHE MISSED SO MUCH.  OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU, DENNIS, LISA, BRIAN, AND STEVE, AND FAMILY MEMBERS. 
SONDRA.

I'm so sorry to hear about Dorothy. She used to stop and chat with me and my young sons (2 and 4 now) on many days on her walks through Pacheco Valle. She took a genuine interest in how they were growing and what they were doing. She always had wonderful stories and anecdotes about her grandson (she was so proud!) and the children she had been looking after in the neighborhood. We will sorely miss her cheerful and bubbly spirit in our valley.

Our sincerest sympathies to  you - we know how much you will miss Dorothy AKA "the best Nana"

Frances and Leslie

We're so very sorry to hear of Dorothy's passing...she was Vicci's best friend when they were both in Washington. Vicci has many happy memories of those days. Our condolences to all of you for your loss. 

(Vicci and Guy Costanzo)

A sweet, gentle, loving person has  now joined her husband Earl. God will welcome her with open arms.

OBITUARY

Dorothy Margaret Bradley

October 8, 1931 – February 16, 2010

Keaton’s Redwood Chapel of Marin

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services