Dorothy A. Prairie died on May 14, 2022, at the age of 96 years. Dorothy was born December 9, 1925 in South Gate, California, to Dewey N. Hobart and Effie B. Hobart. Dorothy attended school in South Gate. Dorothy’s family moved from Michigan to South Gate, California. Later the family relocated to Ojai, California. Dorothy was the youngest of three sisters. She was predeceased by her sisters, June Hasting and Darlene Hobart.
Dorothy was predeceased in death by her husband Kenneth N. Prairie, who died on June 8, 2014. Dorothy is survived by four children, Susan A. Rosario (Tony), Michael W. Prairie (Hiromi), Bonnie P. Ryan (Kevin) and Lucinda G. Garner. Dorothy had eight grandchildren, Brian Rosario (Michelle), Amy Rosario, Matthew Drummond (Mary), Kathleen Garner, Sara Garner Madrigal (Drew), Jennifer Prairie, Bradford Prairie, Alex Prairie and Mana Shimamura and five great grandsons, Matthew Shae Drummond, Luciano Rosario, Florencio Rosario, Nathaniel Madrigal and William Garner.
Ken and Dorothy moved their family from Ojai to Santa Paula in 1956 where all of their children attended St. Sebastian Elementary School. Dorothy did not work for several years and Ken traveled in his work but was always home for the weekend activities and Sunday 11 o’clock Mass. Most weekends there were family trips to visit all the grandparents and cousins in Ojai.
In 1970, after all their children had completed high school, Ken and Dorothy moved to Ventura. Dorothy worked as the office administrator/secretary/paralegal for the Hathaway Law Firm in Ventura for over fifty years. Dorothy started at the firm when Julian Hathaway, the founding partner of the firm, was there. She taught classes to legal secretaries at Ventura College with other local office administrators. The quality of the work that was produced by the Hathaway Firm was always of upmost importance to her. She preached the old adages of "reputation" and "best work possible." She worked 45 hours plus at her job each week and still had time to give of herself to her family and the community. Dorothy retired from the Hathaway Law Firm at age 90.
Dorothy and her dog, Amber, visited local hospitals, St. John’s Rehab in Oxnard, and Vista Del Mar, in Ventura, to participate in the "Pet Therapy Program." Amber and Dorothy went through the licensing process so that Amber could be taken to hospitals and care facilities. Dorothy was a loyal and compassionate friend to others.
Dorothy was a member and officer of Soroptimist International, a local organization chapter that provides scholarships and other benefits to local residents. Dorothy collected canned food each Wednesday at the weekly Soroptimist meeting to take to Project Understanding, where once a month she would deliver the food and help pack food baskets for the local beneficiaries of Project Understanding.
Dorothy was on the Board of Directors of CAAN before its merger with Interface. She has always involved herself with organizations that assist those in need. Dorothy was the oldest participant in the Santa Barbara Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in 2010, at age 85. She raised money for the Organ Donor program in support of her good friends and colleagues.
Dorothy cooked dinner every Saturday night for her own family of four adult children and her grandchildren for many years. Everyone was welcome at Mom and Dad’s on Saturday night and there was always a crowd. There were neighbors and friends that came to Dorothy’s on most Saturday nights. This was her attempt to keep her family close and in weekly communication with each other. When each of her eight grandchildren turned 11 years old, Dorothy planned a trip for each grandchild, going to places like Washington DC, Canada, Oregon, Montana, Colorado and Glacier Park. This was a highlight of being a grandma for her; and for the kids too!!!
The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Bernstein and Dr. Thomas Kong for their special care of Dorothy. The Prairie family is grateful for the services of their friends, Lyssa Colitti, Vicky Dy, Rosanna Danan, Lili Vance and to Angel of God Hospice for their commitment to and care for Dorothy. They are a part of Dorothy’s family.
Family and friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 am Tuesday June 7, 2022 in Mission Basilica San Buenaventura Roman Catholic Mission, Main Street Ventura. Interment will then follow in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Valentine Road Ventura. Arrangements are under the direction of the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive Ventura.