DOROTHY GINSBERG

June 22, 1914 - November 7, 2010

All who knew her said she never knew a stranger. The oldest of eleven children, Dorothy Karle Caston Ginsberg was born in Sheridan, Wyoming to Ruth and Samuel Caston on June 22, 1914. She grew up on a sweet potato farm in the San Fernando Valley and in 1932 was crowned Miss Pacoima. While working in a pie shop she met Abe Ginsberg, a pie salesman and they married in Los Angeles, August 17, 1940. During WWII she took over his pie route while he was away at war. She also worked as one of Los Angeles County's first female bus drivers. It was her strength and determination that got the family through many difficult times. The family moved to Fresno in 1953 and, after raising their own family, Dorothy and her husband were foster parents to over 150 children. Dorothy was proud to have served as "Mother of the Year"-1967 for Fresno County. She and Abe may have been the only couple to be "Mother and Father (1954) of the Year" for Fresno. In their later years they relocated to Merced. The family would like to thank the staff of Country Villa Merced for the very special care given to their mother.

She is survived by her children (and in-laws) Bob and Joanne Mack, Philip, David, Alan, Suzi Balestra, Nate and Cheri and, a special foster daughter, Shirley Hampton. "Nana" also leaves thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren. Five siblings also survive; Thursel Roatcap, Darlene Bagby, Julie Keith, Homer and John Caston. She is preceded in death by her husband, Abe, siblings Ernestine Ruffin, Roberta Bailey, Sam, Art and Clinton Caston, a grandaughter, Wendy Lozano and great-grandson, Jeremy Mack. Service will be held Friday, November 12, 10:30am at Wilson Family Funeral Chapel. Burial, 1pm, San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Gustine.

Arrangements are entrusted to Wilson Family Funeral Chapel of Atwater.