Dorothy Besker Miller

Dorothy Besker Miller (Dottie) was born January 14, 1928 in Mississippi and passed away September 25, 2019 in Chula Vista, CA. She lived an extraordinary life of over 91 years. At the tender age of 19, she left her family to visit California and became hooked. It was 1947 and jobs were not plentiful for young women, but she found work in San Diego as a secretary. In 1949 she married Ralph Struck who escorted her to her boarding house from a dance so she wouldn’t have to walk alone.

Ralph and Dottie lived life to the full enjoying friends, dancing, travel, and flying their personal airplane. Dottie didn’t leave the flying to Ralph. She also piloted the plane. They especially enjoyed life with their friends. They threw themselves into their careers to put themselves into a position to retire early and pursue adventures together. Over 30 years she rose through the ranks from Secretary to Employee Relations Manager for the company of Alfred Lewis, a wholesale grocer distributor, but Dottie found her real fulfillment in service.

She served on the South County Board of United Way and was a campaign coordinator for 15 years; and was President of South Bay Toastmistresses. In 1980 she joined the Chula Vista Chapter of Altrusa International, Inc. and was active in service to the community even until her last days. She held various leadership positions over the years, including president of the club. She was a champion fundraiser and began gaining corporate sponsors for the Altrusa Club’s foundation, bringing in thousands of dollars each year. Dottie was responsible for the rejuvenation of the Club when it fell below charter strength over a decade ago. Dottie was a mentor to many of the Club’s members, who looked to her for guidance, advice, and information on the club’s history. She was a model Altrusan and, as a result of her work with the club, she received the Altrusan of the Year award, named the Marilyn Atwood award, by Altrusa’s District Eleven in May 2019. This award is designed to recognize an active member who has made a lasting contribution to the organization as a result of involvement and dedication to their local Altrusa club over a period of many years. Dottie was deserving of this award for being such an inspiration to all of the club members and to all who meet her, and her club was so proud of this recognition of her service.

Dottie was also a founding investor in a local bank and a local design center, in her retirement. However, Ralph did not live to see the early retirement they dreamed-of as he succumbed to cancer in 1987. In hospice support group she found new areas to serve, and she met her second husband, Nick Besker. Like her he had built a life from scratch. His path was building homes throughout Chula Vista. Retired, he enjoyed his hobbies of wood carving, rock polishing, and jewelry making. They both loved dancing and helping with the local charity events. She learned how to publish a book during their marriage. She typed and edited two volumes of Nick’s autobiography in Beerenski.

Dottie also lost Nick, but she would again meet her third husband in hospice support group. She married John Miller, a widower, whose late wife had been Dottie’s hairdresser in the past. In 2007 they moved into a cottage at Fredericka Manor where they made more friends. They were both active with the hospitality activities at Fredericka, and they also enjoyed the weekly fellowship of friends for Sunday breakfast at the local American Legion post. Dottie lost John in February, 2019.

In her final days she made this note in her journal. “This woman loves people and enjoys watching the world go by through good friends and family, the fellowship of Altrusa, Hospice, Sharp and Scripps Hospital Support groups. Slowed down activities means no dancing, but she continues to enjoy the opportunity of being an Altrusan, investment, and learning, reading, writing, crafts, cooking, theater, and music.”

If you were Dottie’s friend, you were part of her family. She loved you that deeply, and you are too numerous to name. She is survived by immediate family of four nephews and a niece. Ronnie Fortune and wife Faye of Brandon, Mississippi; Burnie Hayes and wife Lyle of Jackson, Mississippi; Tim Smith and wife Teresa of Brandon, Mississippi; Marvin Smith and wife Kathy of Richmond, Texas; and Sennie Hayes her niece. The nephews and niece along with their children will all miss Aunt Dottie.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, October 10, 2019 in the Rose Chapel of Glen Abbey at 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902. Visitation will be available 5:00 – 9:00 PM on Wednesday, October 9, 2019.