Dorothy J. Thompson, 94, of Santa Maria, California, died September 28, 2019.  She was born at home in Glen Willard, PA.  January 1, 1925 and was the only child of Earl and Frances Wentz. She graduated from South Park High School, Buffalo, NY in 1942. After school, she worked at The Blue Bonnet diner, where she cultivated her lifelong joy of serving others…with a smile.

She met the love of her life, Russell L. Thompson, at church and they married on Thanksgiving Day, 1943, in Buffalo, NY.  Their first son, Daniel L. Thompson, was welcomed into their family on St. Patrick's Day, 1945 and after the family moved to Farmville, Virginia in 1948, their second son, David E. Thompson joined them.  Another move took them to St. Petersburg, FL where they were blessed with a daughter Rebecca. A fourth move across the country took them to California, where their youngest daughter Ruth was born.

She lived over 60 years on California's Central Coast and often said that "living in Buffalo, NY you had 2 seasons, winter and the 4 ^th of July, but living in Santa Maria was like living in the air-conditioned capital of the world."

Dorothy or "Dottie", was a loving and supportive wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend. She was an accomplished homemaker, seamstress and cook. Her door was open to all who dropped by and many delicious meals were shared with family and friends around her table, always served with a warm smile, a slice of homemade lemon meringue pie, cup of hot coffee and a game of Rummy-o.  She loved music, and hymns or soft instrumentals songs were heard most days in her home. She played her piano daily and retained that ability throughout her long life.

Upon her death she was united in new life with her Savior Jesus, and reunited with her husband of 54 years, Russell, and with her son David, who passed away in 2018.

Dottie leaves behind her son, Daniel and daughter in-law Jennifer Thompson of Arroyo Grande, CA, her daughter, Rebecca and son in-law Michael McCracken of Santa Maria, CA and her daughter, Ruth and son in-law Michael White of Summerville, SC.

Grandma Dottie leaves behind 11 grandchildren; Steven Ostler of Lompoc, CA, Johanna Thompson of Chicago, IL, Deborah Manville of Arroyo Grande, CA, Jody Cope of Central Point, OR,  Amy McCracken of San Luis Obispo, CA, April Moffatt of Charleston, SC, Andrew McCracken of Santa Maria, CA, Jennifer Todd of Grants Pass, OR, Wes White of Meridian, ID, Dan McCracken of Sutter, CA and Mark McCracken of Santa Maria, CA. Grandma Dottie was "world's best great Grandma" to 28 blessed great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 2, 2019 at 12 noon at Calvary Chapel, Santa Maria, CA.