Dorothy May Saravia

Passed away peacefully on July 3, 2012 at the age of 86. The daughter of William Lafayette Pearce and Lillie Moore Pearce, she was born on August 3, 1925 in Houston, Texas. Dorothy is survived by her five children, Christopher Edmonson (Sandy), Lee Edmonson (Julie), Earl Edmonson (Terri), Judith Dodd (Mike), and Suzy Leacock. Nana Dottie is also survived by her ten grandchildren, Sterling, Keely, Eric, Alisha, Rebecca, Casey, Molly, Shauna, Larry, and Cathy Jo, and six great-grandchildren.

Dorothy attended Principia College in St. Louis, Mo., Berkeley Hall in Hollywood, and the University of Arizona,

from which she graduated in 1946. There she met Earloyde Edmonson, and they were married on September 8, 1947,

after which they lived in Tucson and Rolla, Mo. As a mother, she was wise and wonderful, and handled the sticky

situations that five children can bring in their wake with grace, tact, and humor. As a patroness of the arts and education,

Dorothy aided and mentored not only her own family but an ever-expanding circle of their friends. After divorcing

in 1969 and caring for her father in Houston, she returned to Tucson. In 1974 Dottie married Dr. George Saravia of Phoenix.

After George passed away in 1993, she returned once more to Tucson.

As well as being an avid reader Dorothy had a lively interest in drama, travel, and sports, especially baseball and

U of A basketball. She also enjoyed the many friends she made as a member of the Tucson Garden Club and at Handmaker Assisted Living.

Through it all, she was the center of a large circle of family and friends who were drawn to her generosity, her laughter, and her loving spirit. Dorothy demonstrated how to live well in all circumstances, and she will be greatly missed. A memorial service to honor her life will be held on Thursday, 7/12/12 at 2 pm at East Lawn Palms, 5801 E. Grant Rd. Tucson, AZ.

Arrangements by East Lawn Palms Mortuary & Cemetery.