Dorothy "Dottie" Todd

1919 - 2010

Dorothy Todd, affectionately known as "Dottie," a long-time resident of Manhattan Beach, died peacefully on Friday, October 1, 2010, at the age of 91. She was born on April 9, 1919, in Durban, South Africa. Her parents, Clara and Ralph Abraham, were Congregational missionaries in South Africa, where he was responsible for 12 native Zulu churches. Dottie and her 3 siblings, Norman, Margaret, and Wayne were raised near Groutville. She moved to California to attend the University of Redlands in 1936, where she met her husband of 50 years, Gordon Todd. They were married in 1944 and moved to Manhattan Beach in 1947. During their marriage she worked for several years as a social worker in LA County. Gordon worked as a teacher and administrator for the LA City Schools; he passed away in 1994. Dottie was active in the community and, with Gordon, a long-time member of the Manhattan Beach Community Church. She served as a Girl Scout leader, PTA President of Mira Costa High School, a docent at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, and in leadership roles for the YWCA, American Field Service (AFS), the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and the Women's Fellowship at her church. She and Gordon traveled and camped on the beach in Mexico for over 40 years. She became an avid shell collector and was known to hundreds of local school children as "the shell lady." She is survived by her 3 children and their spouses, Tim and Cathy Todd of San Diego, Wendy and Roger Engkjer of Beaumont, and Carolyn and Neil Christopherson of Santa Cruz; as well as her 3 grandchildren, Aaron and Sarah Dickman, and Natalie Christopherson. She was lovingly cared for by her daughter, Wendy and son-in-law Roger, with whom she lived for the past three years, and by her wonderful caregiver, Nora Fedor. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 6, at 2 p.m. at the Manhattan Beach Community Church at 303 S. Peck Avenue in Manhattan Beach. A memorial fund has been established in her name at the church. Please make checks payable to the "Manhattan Beach Community Church", include "Dorothy Todd Memorial Fund" in the memo and mail to 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.