Dorothy H. Gray

(later Dorothy Bennett)

Dorothy (Gray) Bennett passed away in Salinas, CA, on Monday, April 4, 2011, at the age of 99. She was a long-time resident of Yuma, where she settled shortly after performing government service as a clerical worker in the "new building" in Washington, DC (the Pentagon) during World War II.

Dorothy married Charles H. Gray, a Navy sailor who later became a produce broker, in 1945 in New York City, moved west, and started her family in Yuma. After her divorce from Mr. Gray, she spent the rest of her working career in Yuma with Jewett Insurance Agency, originally at the 3rd Street office and then later on at the 4th Avenue office, working for both father and son from the 1950's through the 1970's. She was married and widowed by Bill Venable, and then married and widowed by Dale Bennett, who died in 1998. After travelling the sunny and warm parts of Arizona, Texas, and Florida, she settled with Dale in Palm Desert, CA, and lived there for over a decade. She had been living in recent years in Salinas, CA, in assisted living and later skilled nursing care.

Dorothy is survived by her two sons, Jim (Doreen) Gray who lives in Phoenix, and Bob (Pat) Gray who lives in Salinas. She will be interred with Dale Bennett in Palm Springs, CA.

In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, the family asks that memorials be directed to the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, P.O. Box 479, Salinas, CA, 93902, or to the donor's favorite charity. Please sign the guestbook at www.yumasun.com/obituaries