Dorothy Elizabeth Dunningham Gidley Dublirer

1918 - 2017

December 20, 2017 Dorothy Dublirer passed away peacefully during the morning hours of Wednesday, December 20, at her residence in Eskaton Village, Carmichael, at the age of 99 years. Dorothy was born at the Alaska Railroad Hospital in Anchorage, Alaska, on April 14, 1918, to John Todd Cunningham and Eva Lockhart Cunningham, where Mr. Cunningham worked for the Alaska Railroad. Along with her younger brother, John Todd Cunningham, Jr., Dorothy grew up in the new town of Anchorage, and pursued many outdoor interests along with her studies and piano. At age 17, she left Anchorage by train to travel to Fairbanks, where she would attend the University of Alaska for one year. She transferred as a sophomore to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, and met Joseph Lehn Gidley, a veterinary student at the university. In 1938, just a few months after meeting, they eloped in Moscow, Idaho. Before Dorothy had finished college, World War II began and Joe joined the U. S. Army, while Dorothy moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and volunteered with the Red Cross as a nursing aide to assist in the war effort. After the war ended, Dorothy and Joe settled in Sacramento, where Joe began his veterinary practice. They enjoyed social events and had numerous friends in the Sacramento area. After having three children, Jeffrey, Carol, and Susan, Dorothy returned to Sacramento State College, graduated and received her teaching credential. After teaching for a short while, Dorothy decided to continue her education and received school psycho-metrist and school psychologist credentials. She used this education in her work for the Rio Linda Unified School District and was offered the opportunity to implement the Rio Linda Project Head Start program, beginning in 1965. On the ground floor of this new program, Dorothy had several interesting opportunities, including being asked to propose ideas for Fairy Tale Town, the children's playground at William Land Park. Dorothy envisioned a climbing activity (the Swiss cheese wedge) and a walking activity (the Crooked Mile) and was pleased when she revisited these on her 99th birthday last April. In 1966, separated from Joe, Dorothy received a fellowship to Columbia University Teacher's College, and she drove with her three teenage children across Canada, to relocate to an apartment in Manhattan. After receiving her Master's Degree, she taught in the Early Childhood Education program at UCLA and eventually returned to Sacramento, working for the State of California Department of Education for several years, where she worked as a consultant in establishing preschool programs for children of migrants in California's central valley. Eventually, Dorothy took a position as an instructor of Early Childhood Education at Sacramento City College. In 1973, Dorothy married Arthur Dublirer of Sacramento, and they moved to Carmichael where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Dorothy and Art were involved together in volunteering with the DDSO (Developmental Disabilities Service Organization) and they held several fundraisers for this and other groups in their Carmichael home. She loved her gardens and the birds and other wildlife that visited her home above the banks of the American River. Dorothy and Art loved to entertain friends with her gourmet cooking, host people from other countries through the Friendship Force, and travel the world. They spent a month each year in Puerto Vallarta, and traveled to Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, Japan, Australia, India, China, Morocco, Canada, and so many more until the last few years. Dorothy's boundless energy was apparent when she built two houses in Homer, Alaska, a town that she loved, and made numerous trips up to furnish them. After Art died in 2008, Dorothy moved to a cottage at Eskaton Village, Carmichael, and later to Assisted Living and then to the Memory Care Lodge. Dorothy was a friend to many people, including old friends and new friends she met at Eskaton. She was involved in numerous organizations including American Association of University Women; Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority; the Sacramento City College Emeriti Affiliates - Foundation (where she and Arthur established two scholarship funds); the Democratic Party; and numerous informal social and discussion groups. Dorothy was a strong woman with a beautiful smile and caring ways, who led a long and full life. She leaves behind children Jeffrey Gidley (Darlene), Carol Addy, and Susan Gidley (Mark Hirzy), and grandchildren Alexis Gidley; Nathan, Daniel, and Michael (Shannon) Addy; and Katie and Aliya Hirzy. All her children and their spouses, and five of her six grandchildren were able to be with her during her last days. The family is grateful to the staff of Eskaton Memory Lodge in Carmichael for their care and attention and to Blossom Ridge Hospice, which helped to make her passing peaceful. Dorothy's family is planning a celebration of her life at the Eskaton Village (North Auditorium, 3939 Walnut Ave., Carmichael) on Sunday, January 21 at 2:00 pm. Dorothy loved parties, so they will honor her memory with a Mexican-style party. All who knew her are welcome to attend.