Dorothy Fairles Lord

November 28, 1936 – July 5, 2017

Dorothy was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the daughter of Birdie (Spettigue) and Russell Fairles. Raised in East Lansing, she enjoyed summers on Duck Lake, winter vacations in Florida, and visiting relatives in London, Ontario. Dorothy majored in Home Economics at Michigan State University and was an active Alpha Chi Omega there, serving as President during her senior year. Following graduation in 1958, a fortuitous European tour led her to San Diego, where she met her future husband Alan Barker Lord. She was teaching at San Dieguito High School and he was an Air Intelligence Officer in the Navy. They married in 1961, and were blessed with three daughters over the coming five years: Anne, Sheila, and Sarah.

Dorothy was happiest when she was with Alan and their girls. She enveloped her family with fun and love every day. She was loving, caring, devoted, selfless, energetic, and creative. Dorothy’s “can-do” attitude and unfailingly positive outlook on life, her quick smile and fun laugh, her grace, kindness and thoughtfulness…all made her a remarkable person, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Dorothy was the family’s social director, planning annual summer vacations to visit family in Michigan and New Hampshire, motor home trips throughout the West, San Felipe Beach & Tennis Club trips, sailing, and special events or “mystery trips” for almost every weekend. Dorothy loved San Diego and took full advantage of the city’s many cultural and sporting activities and close proximity to Mexico, the desert, the ocean, and the mountains.

When grandchildren arrived, Dorothy was overjoyed. She knew how to make each grandchild feel special and loved. She planned vacations, outings, and adventures for them, shopped ‘til she dropped for them, and even built a playhouse for them, lovingly decorated with antiques and creative play toys. From summers in San Diego and New Hampshire to Christmas overflowing with gifts and treats. She loved to join in any of their activities, and was happy to drive or fly to soccer games, cheerleading competitions, concerts, graduations, or just for a fun visit. She was often found down on the floor with the grandkids, at their level, thoroughly enjoying every minute.

Dorothy loved life and spending time with friends and family. She enjoyed traveling, entertaining, meeting new people, antiquing, gardening, decorating, and all things Canadian or British. She was a dear friend and neighbor. Her five original San Diego roommates, teachers all, were lifelong best friends. Her Mt. Laurence neighbors were like family. Upon moving to Point Loma in retirement, she quickly built another close group of friends.

Throughout her life, Dorothy believed in community service, and was often honored to serve in leadership roles. Actively involved with her daughters, she was a Brownie leader, a Girl Scout leader, an advisor for Assisteens, and she organized many local Backyard Swim programs for the YMCA. Education was important to Dorothy, and she served as President for organizations such as the PTA, AAUW, and PEO. San Diego’s Children’s Hospital & Health Center (CHHC) was near and dear to her heart, and Dorothy served in many volunteer roles there, ranging from President of the La Jolla Auxiliary Unit, to Fair Chairman, to President of the city-wide Auxiliary. Dorothy served as a board member for LEAD and the Salvation Army of San Diego, and she co-chaired America’s Finest City Week with Alan. Many other organizations benefitted from her membership, fundraising efforts, and volunteerism. During retirement, she enjoyed volunteering and socializing with the Mean Green Team, the gardening and clean-up arm of the Point Loma Association.

Following Alan’s retirement from the banking world, the couple acquired a small import company…Dorothy immediately identified the most promising product line – high-end bronze garden statuary and fountains – and together they grew The Brass Baron into a national leader in the garden decor business. Alan and Dorothy worked harder than ever, traveling to numerous garden and gift shows across the U.S. each year, visiting friends and family along the way. Dorothy’s interior design background often helped them to win “best display” awards, and she learned how to use Photoshop to edit and design their annual catalogues. They traveled to their factory in Bangkok annually, adding a new Asian destination each trip: India, Phuket, China, Hong Kong, and more.

Dorothy is survived by her husband Alan Barker Lord and their three daughters: Anne (Craig) Rockhold of Palo Alto, Sheila (David) Hickey of Coto de Caza, and Sarah (Dan) Holloway of Los Gatos. Proud grandmother of her six grandchildren: Catherine and Peter Rockhold; Lauren, Megan, and Rachael Hickey; and Madelyn Holloway. She is also survived by her sister Marjory Fairles Richards and her brother Thomas Fairles.

Dorothy died peacefully at home on July 5, 2017 at the age of 80 after a seven-year battle with vasculitis. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at La Jolla Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m., with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Donations are welcomed to Children’s Hospital General Auxiliary Fund: https://www.radyfoundation.org/tributegifts, the Point Loma Association: www. pointloma.org/donate, or the Vasculitis Association: www.vasculitisfoundation.org.