Dorothy Marie Smith

Born and raised in Carroll, Iowa, Dorothy attended business college upon high school graduation. She then worked at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. She worked there under a security clearance in 1941 when Pearl Harbor was bombed. She married her husband, James W. Smith (2007) in Washington DC in 1942. After James completed Pharmacy School at the University of Montana, Missoula, the couple relocated to Southern California. They moved to Charter Oak in 1956 with their two young daughters. They were married until 1970.

At age 65, Dorothy retired from 20 years of secretarial work with the Charter Oak Unified School District Dorothy was very active for over 50 years in her community, serving in various positions for the Charter Oak Women’s Club, First Presbyterian Church of Covina, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority of San Gabriel Valley, and volunteer work at The Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Debra (Dan Funkenstein) Smith of La Jolla, California and her granddaughter, Sarah Maeve Bekey of Los Angeles.

Dorothy is also survived by her first cousin, Donna Mae (Jim) Quant, of Westside, Iowa, along with their children and grandchildren.

Additionally, Dorothy is survived by her three nieces and one nephew, Janet (Fred )Allodi of Oriskany, New York, Rita Robbins (Doug) of Au Sable Forks, New York, Laurie ( Mike) Burton of Mason, Ohio, and Dan (Edee) Cottrill of Whitesboro, New York. She has many beloved great nieces and nephews, including but not limited to Marco (Katie Kirby) Allodi of Chicago, Illinois and Rachel Burton of Claremont, New Hampshire.

Predeceased in death by her daughter, Karen Lynn Smith (Phil) Bekey in 1993, Dorothy is also predeceased by her two sisters, Ila Mae Nilson of Vail, Iowa and Luella (Wendell) Cottrill of Whitesboro, New York.

Due to the COVID virus, memorial services are being postponed to a later date. There will be a direct burial at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, California.

In lieu of flowers her family is requesting donations be made to The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Arcadia, California 91007