Dorothy Hess Boerstler Newton

1927-2020

Dorothy A. Newton, 92, passed away in Sun Valley, California of natural causes on April 29, 2020.

Dorothy was born December 7, 1927, in Glendale, California, to Raymond and Dorothy Hess, and grew up in Burbank. An only child, Dorothy knew she wanted to have a big family. She was known to say she would have been happy to have a dozen children.

Dorothy graduated from Holy Family High School and later earned a nursing degree. She worked for over 30 years in various Illinois and Los Angeles area hospitals taking care of patients needing general care, as well as cancer and psychological disorders.

Dorothy married George A. Boerstler Sr. in 1948 and gave birth to five sons, George Raymond, Charles, George A. Jr., Raymond and Robert. She was widowed in 1954 and moved with her sons to the Chicago area. She met and later married Donald Newton; and they added three daughters, Linda, Debra and Shari, and a son, Dan, to the family.

In the late 1960s, Don, Dorothy and her family moved back to Burbank, California. She was fiercely devoted to her family and active in her church and community. Dorothy lived her Catholic faith through church activities such as Marriage Encounter, choirs, bible studies, prayer groups, bake sales, spaghetti dinners and as a Eucharist minister. She avidly supported the schools her children attended, which wasn’t always easy given the number of children in school during any given time. She and Don enjoyed many years of camping, RV’ing and square dancing. She and Don retired to Oakhurst, California, where they enjoyed their “10 acres of heaven.”

Dorothy was known for her honesty and frankness, which she shared freely when asked her opinion – and sometimes without asking. These qualities, combined with her unquestioning loyalty and generosity made her a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend. In her waning years, dementia took many of Dorothy’s memories, but her children will continue to hold them for her. She, and all the love she shared with her family, friends and community, will not be forgotten.

Dorothy is survived by seven children: Charles Boerstler and wife, Tiffany; George Boerstler and wife, Delores; Mieshell Boerstler (widow of Raymond Boerstler); Robert Boerstler and wife, Betsy Rome; Linda Newton and husband, Robert Bengtson; Debra Newton; Shari (Newton) O’Sullivan and husband, Kevin; Dan Newton and wife, Charlotte; 9 grandchildren: Stephen, Philip, AJ, Courtney, Alex, Hailey, Tim, Dani and Trevor, and several great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are her parents, first husband, George Boerstler Sr., second husband, Don, and sons George Raymond and Raymond. She was a dearly loved daughter, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed.

Her family would like to express its deepest appreciation to the Clergy, Sisters and entire staff at Villa Scalabrini Retirement Center for their amazing support and care of Dorothy and her husband Don, in their last years.

Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, the family will hold a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Villa Scalabrini, in memory of Dorothy Newton, 10631 Vinedale St., Sun Valley, CA 91352, or www.villascalabrini.com/waystogive.html.