Dorothy Goldstein Stone

1921 - 2013

Stone, Dorothy Goldstein SAN DIEGO -- Dorothy Goldstein Stone passed away on November 22, 2013. She was a remarkable, caring woman who brought light to countless individuals through her abiding compassion and generosity. Dorothy's husband, Sanford, pre-deceased her in 2002 after 57 years of marriage. She leaves her beloved children, Debbie (Nancy), Linda (Mark), Barbara, David (Beverly); and grand- children, Aaron, Jessica (Dave), Joshua, Evan, Andrew, Emily and Isaac, who were the bedrock of her life. Dorothy was born in Pittsburgh, PA, on May 6, 1921, and grew up in Brownsville, PA, along with her two brothers and a sister. Following graduation from the University of Michigan with degrees in Economics and English, Dorothy worked in Philadelphia on the ENIAC, the first computer. As part of a team, she also traveled around the country and interviewed women about the roles they played in the workplace during WWII. After residing in East Lansing, MI, for nine years, the Stone family moved to La Mesa in 1956. Dorothy created wonderful memories for her children growing up. She introduced them to a range of opportunities and experiences, encouraged them always to try new things, and welcomed innumerable people into their home, including three AFS students from Peru, Belgium and Ethiopia. The Stone family spent three summers in Central America, which provided the children, in particular, the transformative experience of living abroad. Dorothy earned her teaching credential at SDSU and taught for twenty years at La Mesa Junior High School and La Presa Middle School where she touched the lives of innumerable students. She chaperoned student trips to Sacramento and subsequently secured permission to lead the first one-week student trips in the LMSV school district to Washington, D.C. After her retirement from teaching in 1983, Dorothy tutored children as a volunteer at Lemon Avenue School and at Casey's Place. From 1983 until the Sunday before she passed away, she also volunteered once a week at St. Vincent de Paul in San Diego where she helped feed those less fortunate than she. Dorothy instilled in her grandchildren, who often accompanied her there, a profound responsibility to make a difference in the lives of others. Her grandchildren also treasure Dorothy's support and enthusiasm for their interests, endeavors and education; the many delicious meals and joyful family gatherings in her home; the shared jigsaw and NYTimes crossword puzzles; the knitting lessons; the annual decoration of gingerbread houses; the Passover seders and Thanksgiving dinners; her love of reading and her lived belief that one should help others. Dorothy will be greatly missed by her family and all whose lives she touched. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Hunger Project at Temple Emanu-El, 6299 Capri Dr, San Diego,CA 92120 and templeemanuelsd.org.