Dorothy Ruth (Livingston) Bristol was born at home on Sunday, October 20, 1935, on Sumner Street in Peoria, to Harry and Ruth (Beam) Livingston. She passed away in her apartment in West Plains, Missouri on Sunday, September 13th, 2026.
Known affectionately to everyone important in her life simply as Grandma Sunshine. Named by her first grand child Molly when she was less than two, because she always greeted Molly with, “How’s my Sunshine?” The nickname stuck because it so aptly fit, as she never did fail to shine when she entered a room with smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye. She always greeted you by your name (no matter how long it had been since she had seen you) and let you know that you were special and that you mattered!
She is survived by her daughter Dr Susan (Dr Michael) Detweiler, son Bruce (Karen) Callahan, eight grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Russel Livingston, husband Raymond “Gene” Bristol and grandson R. Michael Detweiler.
A graduate of Manual Training High school, she always felt her most important “job” was being a mom (including her faithful service as lunch room monitor at Rolling Acres grade school) and grandma, of which she truly excelled at both. She worked at Bergner’s and was the voice of Jane Gray on WMBD Radio. She retired from Carrier/United Technologies, and then enjoyed a long and successful second career in retirement. She and Grandpa Ahoogah traveled, camped, and fished far and wide, especially enjoying Rend Lake, and Cedar Rapids Lodge on Medicine Lake in Tent Strike, Minnesota. They spent 25 winters suffering through the warmth of Harlingen Texas (calling often to ask how cold we all were) making friends from all over the US and Canada. Grandma Sunshine really didn’t know a stranger and never left anyone not knowing where she stood. She was a strong Scots-Irish lady, who loved her clan fiercely, and we all loved her back equally as fierce.
Cremation rites have been accorded. A celebration of Dorothy's life will be Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 10 a.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.
Burial will be in LaSalle Cemetery near Rome, IL.
Until we see your shining smile again in glory one day Grandma Sunshine, thank you for being, you, and loving us all so well!
Numbers 6:24-26
