Dorothy C. Erickson passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. She was 91 years old.
Dorothy was born to Lee O. Dampier and Evelyn (Peggy) Lola Fetzer in San Jose, California on April 19, 1927. She attended elementary school in Gilroy, CA before moving to Alameda, and then attended San Jose State University. It was during that time in San Jose that she met and married Robert C. Erickson.
Dorothy and Robert owned and operated nurseries in Santa Clara County during the 1950’s. In the early 1960’s they purchased a ranch in Watsonville, near Aromas, CA. This ranch became the gathering place for many happy get-togethers and annual Christmas celebrations with extended family members. Dorothy’s children truly appreciate and hold dear the memorable experiences and adventures at the ranch.
Around 1970 Dorothy started working for the Chas. Ford Company (Ford’s Department Store of Monterey Bay) in Watsonville. She quickly moved up to become the Buyer of the Giftware and China Department. This experience at Ford’s became a new passion and area of expertise for her. She developed many caring, loving and enduring friendships with customers and fellow employees.
Dorothy retired from Ford’s in 1988 and moved to Clear Lake, CA and then relocated to Klamath, CA in 1999. She enjoyed taking cruises along the East Coast, Caribbean, Alaska, and Mississippi, and traveling to Tahiti, Australia, and her favorite, Egypt.
While living in Klamath she became an active member of the Crescent City Fuchsia Society. Here she met her new love and partner, Richard Bledsaw. Recently she had a new fuchsia hybridized with her name. She enjoyed gardening and was very knowledgeable with horticulture and botanics. Many friends and family often called her for gardening advice.
Dorothy was the matriarch of the family, as well as the family historian. She shared so many memories and provided stories and information about close and distant relatives. She had quite a recollection. She will be truly missed. She was a loving mother, friend, sister and grandmother. Everyone who knew her commented on how strong and compassionate she was.
Many would be surprised to find out just how much she loved watching football, particularly college.
Dorothy is survived by her husband of 18 years, Richard Bledsaw of Crescent City, CA; sons Scott A. Erickson (Audrey) of Palmdale, CA., Lon E. Erickson (Linda) of Royal Oaks, CA.; daughters Lynn Erickson-Levi (Lonnie) of Klamath, CA., Carol A. Romero (Frank) of Aromas, CA; grandchildren Michael Erickson (Irma), Jason Paddock, Kelly Spencer, Wendy Erickson, Sarah Levi, Michael Levi, Frank Romero, Robert Romero (Venesa); great-grandchildren Leah Erickson, Joseph Erickson, Sebastian Erickson, Aiden Spencer, and due in July, Selene Romero; brother Richard Dampier (Hilde) of Hemet, CA. and sister Elaine Murphy (Ross) of Medford, OR; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Robert C. Erickson in 1993.
To all her dear friends in Crescent City, Klamath, and Watsonville, we know that you loved her. And she loved you. We know that, because everyone loved Dorothy!
A Memorial Service will be held at Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park at 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, California on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 11:00am with burial to follow at 12:30pm.
There will be a celebration of life in Crescent City, California at a later date and time.
