Dorothy Mae Stekl, age 87, peacefully passed into the afterlife on Saturday, March 13 ^th .

Predeceased in death are her husband, Charles Eugene Stekl, both parents, six sisters and two brothers. Dorothy is survived by her "baby sister" Margaret and numerous nieces and nephews littered across the country.

She loved to garden, read, walk her beloved Coco at Dana Point and travel. She shared many trips to countries around the world with her elder sister, MaryAnn and they often shared trips with various sisters.  She loved to recount the frequent (mis)adventures, as only a younger sister can, roaring with laughter in the retelling and mimicking her sisters. What a storyteller she was, it was a scream to hear those stories, I tell you!

Dorothy had a wonderful sense of humor, looked for the best in people and had a unique perspective of herself. She believed others opinions of her were none of her business.  She proudly wore the mantel of "Queen of the West" which she shared with MaryAnn.  "If they only knew just how Scotch I really am" she would often say, relaying the story of cooking a chicken on Sunday and eating it all week in other recipes.

Our family would like to express our gratitude to those special people that were part of her daily life.  She enjoyed each and every one of you and that special relationship was cherished.  She was a terrific listener and gave advice (often unwanted but necessary, in her opinion) only to follow up with "I'm not your mother, I'm your second mother".  Mostly straight to the point with opinions and encouragement, all was said in love to those that were privileged to have received it.

She will be greatly missed.

Private interment is yet to be determined.