Dorothy Green, mother and grandmother, died in her Malibu home surrounded by family on April 7 at the age of 94.
Born on Aug. 14, 1919, in Canada, Dorothy grew up in Iowa and moved to California after meeting and marrying Chuck Green. She attended Santa Monica College and earned a BA from UCLA.
When Chuck changed careers and joined the Foreign Service, they lived in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Vietnam and Indonesia. They returned to the U.S. and settled in Malibu where they were active in the Labor Exchange, Malibu United Methodist Church, Malibu Senior Center and the Malibu Democratic Club. Their 67-year marriage lasted until his death in 2011.
Dorothy was a natural and talented athlete. She danced, rode horses, did gymnastics, roller- and ice-skated, played tennis, and swam. She walked from Point Dume to Trancas once a week and swam for an hour a day into her mid-80s.
“As a mother, she was always sunny and fun,” a loved one said. Her flexibility extended to allowing exotic pets — including snakes and monkeys — to join the household. She loved people and invited any and all into her home, including many “adopted” kids of all ages along the way. When it rained, she would bring home workers who were homeless from the Malibu Labor Exchange to keep them warm and dry.
Dorothy is survived by her son, Terry, and daughter-in-law, JoAnn, of Santa Monica; her daughter, Marilyn, and son-in-law, Larry Jones, of Moorpark; four grandchildren; and many friends around the world.
The family also thanks Dorothy’s caregivers, Ester Tenebro and Rose Tallo.
“They served her faithfully, for many years, and showered her with patience, dignity and love, for which we will always be grateful,” the family shared.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life will take place at 11 a.m. on June 14 at the Malibu United Methodist Church, with lunch to follow. In honor of her love of education, memorial donations to a scholarship in her name can be sent to the Santa Monica College Foundation, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 90405.