Dorothy Ann Checchi Zerler

11/13/1933 - 09/12/2015

Dorothy, a lifelong resident of Bakersfield California passed away peacefully on September 12th 2015 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous 2 year battle with Lymphoma. Born November 13, 1933 to Sam and Maggie Checchi she was the oldest of six children. Dorothy attended local schools graduating from Garces High School in 1951. Shortly after graduation, she went to work for Pacific Bell as a telephone operator, where she politely took a call from President Eisenhower to hold the lines for him for 4 hours leaving her, as she said, nervous as hell. Her job took her to Hanford California where she met and later eloped with her husband of nearly 60 years John Zerler. She work for Brock's Department Store at the Valley Plaza as a floor supervisor. She loved fashion. Her most recent job was managing the Kern County Fairgrounds Satellite Wagering division for the State of California. It was this job she truly loved, greeting the many many loyal patrons that came through those doors daily and was most proud to organize and oversee the Lost Children section during the annual Kern County Fair. Dorothy retired after 22 years in 2009. She was an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Lakers. When those teams were playing you could usually find her in front of the TV rooting them to victory. She loved her husband's coffee in the morning and reading the daily newspaper, her travels to Washington DC, Hawaii and Italy, her numerous bowling leagues with family and friends, shopping, family gatherings playing Left-Right-Center and trips to Las Vegas. Those of you who have sat next to her while playing slot machines know she was a true gambler, always doubling down and making those around her anxious, urging her to cash out!! Dorothy is survived by her husband John, their daughters and spouses, Julie and Steve Nations, Karen and Jerry Jost, Nancy and Trent Morris all of Bakersfield California. Grandchildren Janelle and Matt Schrader, Allen Jost, Jeana and AJ Gallemore, Jori Morris. Great grandchildren, Jerry Jost, Addyson Vasquez, Emma Rose Gallemore and Makenzie Vasquez. Brothers and Sisters, Alfonso and Gloria Checchi, Judy and Pierre Lanathoua, Betty and Mike Delfino, Jim Checchi, Angie and David Brown. She also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to your favorite charity would make her happy. At the request of our Mom her interment will be private and take place at a later date. A sincere thank you to our sister Julie who lovingly cared for our Mom these past 2 years taking her to her appointments, overnight stays for treatments and around the clock care in her final days here on earth.
Our Mom was Generous-Determined-Strong.
Rest in Peace.