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Dominican College University of California| Berkeley

Dorothy Abrahamson Obituary

Dorothy McKee
Abrahamson
"Dottie/DeeDee"

Dottie passed away peacefully at her home in Tiburon on September 8, 2013. She was 89. Born in Oakland in 1923, the only child of Charles and Charlotte McKee, she grew up in a wonderful neighborhood with her "Richie Street Gang" and attended Castlemont High. A graduate of UC Berkeley in 1945 where she started a lifelong love affair with her Golden Bears and "Delta Dream Girls". Ritchie Street and Cal were just the beginning of her enviable skill of nurturing lifelong friendships.

Dottie worked for the ad agency JW Thompson in San Francisco from 1945 to 1955. She moved to Telegraph Hill and enjoyed a series of adventures in the post-war years with more treasured friends. Her mother died when she was fifteen, and her dad remarried Gwen Jones Kinney in 1945- one of Dottie's favorite people. Gwennie gave her two wonderful stepsisters, Joan and Pat.

She married Victor Abrahamson in 1953 and they moved to Sausalito in 1955. By 1958 she had three daughters- Martha, Mary and Janet. She was a mother of remarkable energy, grace and humor. In 1968 the family moved to Virginia Drive in Tiburon, where Dottie lived for the rest of her joyful life.

Dottie earned her teaching credential from Dominican College in 1964. Fondly known as Mrs.A, she taught 4th-6th grade in Tiburon at Reed and Bel-Aire Schools, adding a new cast of characters in the great friendships column. She took early retirement in 1981 and while she was an exceptional teacher, she was an even better retiree. She savored family, friends, travel, adoring grandchildren, golf, theatre, her beloved pugs, continuing education, and extensive volunteer work- most notably at the Marin Blood Bank and Belvedere/Tiburon Landmarks Society.

Dottie is survived by her daughters, Martha McCabe of Sebastopol, Mary Barone of Mill Valley, and Janet Abrahamson of San Rafael, her son-in-law Ted Barone, grandchildren Nathan and Devon Barone, extended family, and many dear friends.

Hers was a life well lived. She enriched our lives with fun-loving, faithful, life-enhancing spirit, a wicked sense of humor, and a truly sweet soul.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Community Congregational Church at 145 Rock Hill Drive in Tiburon on Friday, September 27 at 11:00am. Remembering Dottie with a donation to your favorite charity would be lovely.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Sep. 11 to Sep. 15, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Abrahamson

14 Entries

Jill Harris

September 22, 2013

Dorothy was simply one of the best. She was there for me at a time when I really needed help, and from knowing her I have tried to offer the same compassion to others. Her life was an inspiration. All the best to her family.

September 18, 2013

Virginia Dr. I was there and it was the best of times...LOVE Sandy Foote

Ted Wray

September 18, 2013

Thank you Mrs. A. for being one of the best teacher's ever, and a true friend over the many years since we first met when I was in the 6th grade!

Thats me with the cast on my arm.

Shayne (Mitchell) Maxwell

September 16, 2013

Mrs. Abrahamson was one of the brightest lights of my childhood school memories. She was a wonderful teacher and friend to me in 5th grade at Reed School. She even took in a stray Collie dog I found and called it Shayne. I am so glad I got the opportunity to speak with her recently to say Thank You and she remembered me 44 years later! You will always hold a special place in my heart Mrs. A.. XO

Lucille Marinko

September 16, 2013

I played Bridge with Dorothy for many years and she was always upbeat and smiling. May you rest in peace dear friend.

Julie Pizzo

September 15, 2013

Dorothy and her pugs would sweetly drop by our home on Virginia Dr in Tiburon unexpectedly to exchange fresh lemons off her.fruit trees. I greatly appreciated her neighborliness and kind spirit.

Kathleen Ashley Watson

September 15, 2013

Mrs. Abrahamson was my sixth grade teacher at Reed School. I was new to the school and the community. I will be forever grateful to her and her daughters for being so warm and welcoming. She really made a positive impression on me. My condolences to her family.

Jayne Verdon

September 15, 2013

My thoughts and condolences go to Dee's family, Mary, Martha and Janet. I will always remember Dee smiling.

Allie McHugh

September 13, 2013

My fourth grade teacher at Bel Air School. Rest in peace Mrs. A.

Janet Robinson

September 12, 2013

Mrs. Abrahamson was my sixth grade teacher. She was ever patient and kind and supportive. My thoughts and condolences go to her family.

Piper Ross Berger

September 12, 2013

Dorothy was a delight in my life. She was a devoted weekly volunteer for years at the Belvedere-Tiburon Landmarks Society Archives where I enjoyed her humor,love of life, while we became friends.

The Richman Family

September 12, 2013

Somehow our Virginia Dr will never be the same...just knowing she was there was always comforting to us...it was a pleasure to know Dorothy...it is clear that she has always been on the sunny side of life.

John Hess

September 12, 2013

I loved Dorothy, and always thought of her as an additional mother. She treated me so well, and with respect. I hope she is comfortable and resting now. My brother, Tim, is right about the holiday celebrations. I can hear Dorothy now, chiming in as she always did, for the wrong team when we played Charades. Love to Martha, Mary, and Janet.

Tim Hess

September 12, 2013

I will always have fond memories of Dorothy as our families celebrated Christmas Eve together--especially playing Charades.

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