Raised in a family of five sisters she is survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Dorthey’s two children, brothers, grew up as best friends even working together on creative projects when they were older. Larry was born in the summer of 1954 and Richard in the Spring of 1951. Larry became a gifted and successful lighting designer, Richard well-known photo-artist and writer.
Dorthey’s siblings included vibrant-personality Mildred E. Dixon, mysterious Mary Viola Becker, gracious dreamer Margaret Moore, and logical but joyful Hellen Stoll. The two surviving are Margie and Hellen, both in California.
Born with a twin who died in Chico, Texas on February 17, 1931, to Laura Opal Jones and James Andrew Jones, Dorthey spent part of her early years picking cotton with her sisters for a few cents per day. As with her Mom, Dorthey was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ which she attended until the end.
The allure of California brought the family from Texas to California in 1944 where they settled in San Diego. She attended and graduated from Pt. Loma High School and during her school years met John Alden Peterson. Hellen wrote: ”They met one Halloween when she was about 14. John was with some boys in a car on the way to a party. Dorthey was walking to the movies with her friends. After one look at Dorthey, he decided to abandon the boys and go the movies with her and her friends. We always talked about how funny it was that he would want to go to the movies with the girls...but of course, he was interested in Dottie.” Photos in archived albums reveal they spent lots of time in Tijuana or on Baja beaches for dates.
The two married on June 3, 1950, in Chula Vista, CA, married for life. They first occupied a house in San Diego then moved in the mid-1950s to Santee, CA where they lived until the end of their lives. Sadly, John developed Polio, one of the last, in the 1950s which left him partially paralyzed but able for the future.
Dorthey worked as a file clerk or accountant for several decades, mainly for the Naval Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center in Coronado, CA. She retired in 1997. Cooking, hiking, bowling, gardening, and investing were favorite pastimes.
Diagnosed with congestive heart failure in February 2019 and Chronic Pulmonary Fibrosis in March, she spent her last months in and out of hospitals, nursing, and assisted living homes. On the last visit before the visitation ban to nursing homes, an attendant nurse told Richard ”Your Mom is an angel.”
From Sister Margaret Moore:
”She was always there when I needed her, and was up for any adventure, no matter what.
Our adventures included trips to Arizona to visit Mildred and to Fresno to visit Hellen, going shopping in the mall, to the grocery store, visiting friends, and especially just hanging out. We always laughed a lot and shared many jokes.
We had many holiday dinners together and were so privileged to have that precious lady dine with us. She was a wonderful conversationalist, and we had many things to talk about. She was a great inspiration because of her Faith and love for God.
After John passed away, Mike was watering her lawn and found a wooden heart that John had made on the lawn. It reminded him of how wonderful their marriage was, and their great love for each other. The love story she shared with John was special and unique. They met one Halloween when she was about 14. John was with some boys in a car on the way to a party. Dorthey was walking to the movies with her friends. After one look at Dorthey, he decided to abandon the boys and go the movies with her and her friends. We always talked about how funny it was that he would want to go to the movies with the girls...but of course, he was interested in Dottie.
Dorthey was, and always will be in my heart forever. In our family, we have an inside joke about who is the favorite one. We all decided, she is definitely the favorite.
Heaven now has the most beautiful angel to entertain and love everyone there!
I love her so much, and will miss her forever!”
From Sister Hellen Stoll:
”She was the sweetest kindest person I have EVER known. She never said a bad word about anyone (well, one person).
We were both baby lovers, shared so much, family, friends, religion, politics, and stock investing. We have talked almost daily for the past several years, and twice a day recently.
Over the years we have taken many trips and vacations, Hoh Rain Forest and three national parks, as well as family in Wyoming, Texas, and Arizona. We have always been close, so close that I felt her passing. Words cannot begin to express how much I will miss her! Knowing that she wanted to be with John makes it a little less painful to lose her.
I will be sad forever that this darn virus kept those of us who love her away. What I would have given to hold her hand and tell her again I LOVE YOU DOT! How lucky I was to have you for my sister!”
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.goodbodymortuary.com for the Peterson family.
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