Dorothy E. (Foster) Wheeler was born October 7, 1916, the middle of five children and the oldest daughter. She was born and raised on a family farm near Petaluma, California where a strong work ethic was instilled; at an early age she learned to cook and be a caregiver to her ailing mother.

She attended local schools, and after graduating from high school enrolled at the local junior college to pursue her dream of a nursing degree; however, a young man entered her life. She fell in love and soon became a Mrs. She was the mother of two children, the wonderful grandmother of four.

Mom worked part-time when her children were young and eventually full-time as a court clerk in the county municipal system, always treating those ?in trouble? with kindness and respect. Her family was always first and foremost and she gave untiringly to any of their needs. She loved the outdoors, her garden, the birds and wildlife, fishing, camping, and in later years, weekend getaways with her husband (and usually a grandchild) with their travel trailer.

Mom was a ?doer? and on these trips, as always, she was the first one to check out the local points of interest, a grandchild or two in tow. One of her ?famous? saying to the younger kids was always, ?just absorb it all.?

Her caring, compassion and kindness never waned, and many family members and/or friends found themselves recovering from an illness in her home. She was diagnosed with cancer less than two years after a well deserved retirement. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation followed; however, she lost the battle and succumbed to ovarian cancer in 1986 at the age of 69. I feel blessed (and so fortunate) to have called her my mother-in-law. She will be forever missed.