Dolores O. HELLMUTH

HELLMUTH, Dolores O. 1923-2017 Dolores O Hellmuth was born in San Diego Ca on August 8, 1923 to Aletha Carl, 1905-1975, and Donald Carl, 1896-1957. Dolores was born in her grandparent's home Dr. Lewis Chappelle, 1871-1959, and Irene Chappelle, 1870-1950. Dolores was eldest, her sister was Patricia Dewees, 1925-2002. Dolores met Walter W Hellmuth, 1919-1980, an enlisted seaman in the US Navy, serving from 1936-1940, they wed on September 10, 1939. Walter later became a successful businessman. Their first child was Valerie (Sullivan), 1940-1988. Their second child Walter was born in 1960. From 1960 until 1967 the family lived in La Jolla CA, in 1967 the family moved to Santa Barbara. In 1973 the family moved to a horse ranch in Santa Ynez, CA. In the summer of 1976 Walter Sr. bought a 25-acre vineyard in St. Helena, CA. While there, Walter Sr. obtained a use permit for a winery on the site. In 1979 he sold the vineyard. During the 1980s Dolores moved several times, lived in Santa Barbara until 1984, then moved back to St. Helena, then to San Francisco to attend the Academy of Art College. Dolores loved the mountains, and lived at Lake Tahoe. In 1992 she left Tahoe and moved to Sonoma, then to Sebastopol, and has resided in Petaluma for the last 11 years. Dolores loved all things to do with cooking, gardening, hospitality, and decorating. Dolores was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She often was a volunteer, including Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol, and later at Petaluma Valley Hospital until 2010. She was also a devoted member of the Episcopal Church for 65 years, most recently, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Petaluma. Dolores is survived by son Walter A Hellmuth of Petaluma; grandchildren Crystal Marler (husband Dan), Brian Sullivan, Heather Sullivan, Melissa Sexton (husband Rich); great-grandchildren; Shay, Karina, Beau, Matthew, Lucas, Josh, Summer, Cheyenne, Dillan, Elijiah, their mom RoxAnne, Aubrey, Orion, their gad Phillip, Ian; g-g-grandchildren: Preslee, Jocelynn, Andrew, Lauren, Indigo, Juniper, Kristina, Dustin, Scarlett, Jaxon, Ethan, Caden, Fallyn, Braelynn. Her husband, Walter Sr., daughter Valerie, and son-in-law Jerry, preceded her death. Dolores died on May 3, 2017, after a short illness. A celebration of life service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, 40 5th Street, Petaluma CA at 2 p.m. on Saturday May 27, 2017. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers make contributions to the St. John's Episcopal Church, Petaluma, Endowment Fund in her name.