Dorothy Mae Slater was born on May 23, 1928, to Forrest Leon and Ina May Boyd in Hutchinson, Kansas. She was part of a small, close-knit, post-depression family, and this experience forever showed in her ingenuity to make much out of little and showcased her artistic eye.

In May 1946 she met Ellis Wayne Slater, and they married in July of that year. They had three children: James W. Slater, Bradley J. Slater, and Sharon S. Slater.

Dorothy went to work for Bank of America in 1949 at the corner of H and Ocean when it was located in the Lilley Building. She worked in several locations and eventually retired in the early 80s. Mid State Bank came calling, and she worked the drive-up by request for nine more years. She was a two-time bank retiree and, as a result, she definitely acquired "banker's handwriting."
She was an accomplished singer in her youth and a sought-after performer prior to her marriage. She also played the Sousaphone in the high school band – the band director saying only "big" girls could carry the horn, and she did.

She developed lasting friendships with many families in the valley upon arrival as an 18 year-old pregnant bride. The Domingos family were great friends. Dorothy and Ellis called them friends for life. Dorothy and Ellis built a house in town and lived there the rest of their lives, rearing children of their own and the many honorary kids that passed through the doorway. The door was always open to them and when needed, she usually knew what to say…kids didn't always want to hear it but did because they knew it was said out of unconditional love.

Dorothy was known for always having the best secret recipe for sugar cookies (a meal for whomever sat at her table) and was up for traveling, playing poker and enjoying a cocktail whenever the situation presented itself.

When her husband died, Dorothy decided to begin attending college. She was a straight A student but didn't complete her degree because she refused to take an English class. Easily she would have aced that class, but as all who knew her knew, she had a stubborn streak that wouldn't quit, and she did not cave.
She enjoyed the Red Hat Society and attended often with her friend Wanda Faloon. Wanda was an enormous help with taking Dorothy to doctors' appointments. They played canasta and had lunch and many dinners at the Whistle Stop. Our thanks to her are great.

Dorothy from Kansas loved dogs. She had a previously stray dog that her son-in-law carried home, and she named it "Happy". When her great grandson Kyle was old enough to talk, he would call her and say, "Hi Gramma, where's Happy?" From that point on Gramma, was known to all as "Gramma Happy". She later obtained a rescue dog named Brynn. Brynn remained her loyal companion until her passing.

Dorothy Mae Slater passed away on November 28, 2015, surrounded by her loving family. She was proceeded in death by her husband Ellis W Slater, her son-in-law Kenneth C. Frey, her grandson Marc Burrows-Slater, and both of her parents.

She leaves behind her children James Wayne and Glenda Slater, Bradley Joe and Yvonne Slater, Sharon Slater Frey, Michel and Betty Smith, David Bouslaugh, and Susi and Lester Schuyler. She was proud of her grandchildren, Jessica and Hector (aka Rudy) Flores, Laura and Martin Harrington, Dawn Lynn and Roland VanSlyke, Jennifer Marie Slater, and Ashley Nicole Slater. She also had resident-in-training grandkids who include Cristi and Monty Montgomery, Kristina and Josh Webb, Davey Bouslaugh, and Cassie Ashley and Adam.
She also had great grandchildren Kyle Ellis Robinson, Vanessa Bailey Alvarez, Sabrina Flores, Anakin Flores, Sierra Flores, Justin and Laurie Frey, Christopher and Ashlie Harrington, Leanna Harrington, Kellie and Anthony Patino, Bryan Harrington, Alyssa VanSlyke, Emma VanSlyke, and Brandon Ellis Slater. She also had great-great grandchildren Dominic and Madison Frey, Tristen Harrington, and Anthony, Andrew and Airyanna Patino.

Dorothy had some very special people in her life that honored her and helped in her care so much, and a few of them are Rocky Cobb, Dawn de la Cruz, Wanda Faloon, Tina Forren, Liam Nguyen, Mary Lou Rivetti and Annie Slonaker.

A very special thank you to Dr. Allan Bosko and Wendy McDonald, Jennifer Fernandez the procedure nurse, Dr. Little, Dr. Loya, Dr. Belkin, Dr. Shenoda, Dr. Ente, Dr. Avery, all the nurses at Urgent Care, all the receptionists at Sansum Clinic who always went above and beyond to take care of her, and also the staff at Santa Ynez Cottage Hospital for their compassionate care while Mom took her final journey. Our heartfelt thanks to you.

Services will be held at the First Christian Church, 1517 W. College Ave., Lompoc, Saturday, December 5 at 1:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at the Whistle Stop. Please bring a dish to share and help us celebrate Dorothy's life and family.

Dorothy from Kansas aka Gramma Happy clicked her ruby slippered heels together three times and said "There's no place like home."