Dorothy Elsie Gilpin

Dorothy Elsie Gilpin was born in Los Angeles, California. She passed away on Bainbridge Island, WA.

Her parents were immigrants from Germany. They lived in the neighborhoods close to downtown. Her mother, Lina sewed bathing suits for the brand Catalina. Her father did all sorts of work during the Depression until he finally landed a job at McDonnell Douglas in Santa Monica, CA.

Dorothy worked most of her life. At age 11 she sold parking spaces on her neighbors’ lawns that lived close to the LA Coliseum. At age 15, after school, she would read to a blind man in her neighborhood and fix dinner for him and his brother. She graduated from Manual Arts High School and attended Los Angeles City College. She got a job as a dispatcher with the Los Angeles Police Department where she met her husband Harry, a motorcycle cop. He too passed away at age 99, just 3 days before their 75th Wedding Anniversary.

After leaving the LAPD, Dorothy worked for the construction company that built the Palm Springs Tram and finally for the Superintendent of Public Schools in El Monte, CA where she received an Achievement Award for her work for public education.

Dorothy and Harry loved big bands and, during the 40’s and 50’s, frequently went dancing at Southern California’s famous ballrooms. In their later years, she took care of her mother, aunt and mother-in-law. Holiday dinners were always at their house.

The family loved to camp in western National Parks, fish in the Pacific Ocean and visit Mexico. After retirement she and her husband loved to square dance, play golf and visit their grandchildren.

She was an amazing woman, ahead of her time and beloved by her husband Harry. Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Sharon of Bainbridge Island, WA, her son, Christopher of El Cajon, CA, three grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

Rest in Peace.