Dorothy DaValle Benzini

Dorothy DaValle Benzini April 22, 1915 - Oct. 24, 2010 Dorothy DaValle Benzini, age 95, passed away peacefully at home in Stockton, CA after a brief battle with cancer. In typical Dorothy DaValle Benzini style, she died with dignity, grace and a sense of humor. Dorothy always tried to make the best out of bad situations and during the last few weeks of her life, Dorothy entertained her family and friends with stories about her impending journey to heaven and her life once she got there. Dorothy's final gift to her family was the gift of humor. She was not selfish and was always putting others before herself. Dorothy was an avid pet lover and enjoyed visits from her granddogs and her therapy dog, Paddy Bear. Her family, friends and caregivers will always remember Dorothy and her beautiful smile. Dorothy was born in Oakland and moved to Stockton where she lived for 60 years. She graduated from Stockton High School and attended the College of the Pacific. Dorothy worked for many years as an Interior Decorator for Breuners. Upon her retirement from Breuners, she remarried and moved to Long Beach where she lived for 30 years before returning to Stockton four years ago. Dorothy was preceded in death by her two husbands, Adolph DaValle and Leo Benzini (from Long Beach), and her oldest daughter, Lisa DaValle. She is survived by her three children, Pete DaValle, Sara Kleinert and Debbie Kinyon (Bill) and her Texas family, Neil, Katherine, Ken and Brie. She had five grandchildren, Marnye Langer (Larry), Robert Little (Kim) and Erica Martin (Michael), Jake Kinyon and Morgan Kinyon and five great grandchildren, Ian, Michael, Trevor, Jack and Macie. The family wishes to thank the staff at Oak Creek Assisted Living at O'Connor Woods and Hospice of San Joaquin for their loving care during the last few months of her life. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers Dorothy asked that donations be made to St. Mary's Medical Center Guild or St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation, 1050 Linden Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813.