Dorothy M. Keefe-Crosby

Dorothy M. Keefe-Crosby, 76, of Santa Maria was in a fatal accident Wednesday morning.

Dorothy was born Dec. 1, 1932 in Missouri to Robert Morris and Beatrice Maric Brown, shortly thereafter moving to California. Dorothy has been a lifelong resident of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. She is a graduate of Santa Paula High School and Ventura College. Past employers were Union Oil Co., Rector Realty, Francis Beaver Realty, United CA Bank Escrow, later becoming First Interstate Bank Escrow.

Dorothy was the devoted wife of George A. Keefe until his demise July 7, 2001. They had a romance and marriage that lasted 49 years. A perfect example of love, honor and respect. In 2004 Dorothy became the wife of a long time family friend George H. Crosby. They shared many of the same friends, morals, standards and goals. A Beautiful fit for nearly 4 1/2 years. She was a member of the Santa Maria Minerva Club and a Docent for the Ventura County Museum. She tried to stay on top of things. Dorothy will be remembered as being vivacious and inspirational. At only 5' she stood tall for good morals, high standards, written goals and positive thinking. She walked the walk and talked the talk.

We little knew that morning that
God was going to call your name,
In life we loved you dearly.
In death we do the same.
It broke our hearts to lose you.
You didn't go alone; for part of us
Went with you,
The day God called you home.
You left us peaceful memories,
Your love is still our guide:
And though we cannot see you,
You are always at our side.
Our family chain is broken,
And nothing seems the same:
But as God calls us one by one.
The chain will link again.

Dorothy will be missed by her family and survived by her husband George H. Crosby of Santa Maria, son and daughter-in-law Michael and Brigid Keefe of Valencia; Daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Alfred Estrella of Santa Paula: Grandchildren Michelle Heid of Valencia and Brial Keefe of Bend, OR; Marilee and Marijane Rust of Santa Paula; great-grandson Tyler Heid of Valencia. Step-Children and families of Mark Crosby of Santa Maria, Kent and Lisa Crosby of Palmdale, May and Richard Miller of UT. Janet and Steve Coon of AK.

Graveside services will be at 10:00a.m. Monday, May 4, 2009 at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charities Arrangements under the direction of Skillin Carroll Mortuary, 805/525-3391.