Dorothy "Midge" Cameron

1939 - 2023

Dorothy "Midge" Cameron
May 15, 1939 - April 14, 2023
Atwater, California - Dorothy Kathryn Cameron, known as "Midge" by all who knew her, passed away in her home, surrounded by loved ones, on April 14, 2023. She was 83 years old.
Midge was born on May 15th, 1939, in New York City, to Dorothea Cameron and Rickard Joseph Hayes. She was later adopted by her grandfather, George Guthrie Cameron.
Midge attended Christopher Columbus High School in Bronx, New York. After graduating from high school, she worked for the American Broadcasting System, in New York City, in the public relations department. She worked with some of the greats, like Howard Cosell and Mike Wallace. She shared stories about her interactions with these individuals, one of which was that Mr. Cosell would steal pencils from her desk. She loved her job at ABC. It gave her the opportunity to use many of her skills, and the ability to see interviews with actors and public figures. Later in life, she put some of those skills to further use, writing for and editing the Officers' Wives Club monthly periodical called "The Chatelaine." She also wrote a weekly column in the local newspaper, the Atwater Signal, called "Another One of Those Days," which highlighted her writing skills and profound sense of humor.
Midge's speaking skills were used during her many years spent as a member of Toastmasters International. She spoke in front of many groups and won many speaking competitions. Her specialty was humorous speaking. She had an uncanny knack for being able to find the humor in any situation and say, "If you can find the humor in it, then that's nine tenths of the battle." She also held several high-ranking positions in Toastmasters, including the governorship. Midge had a love for books. She also loved music of all genres, with big band music being her favorite. Her expansive book and music collection is a treasure.
Midge's employment endeavors included advertising sales, ownership of a local garden center and nursery, and office management at the mall in Merced. However, she ultimately worked as a medical transcriptionist, retiring, after many years of service, from the Merced County Mental Health Department.
Throughout her life, Midge's first priority was always the five children she had with her husband, Ferdinand John Luciano. They will always remember her as loving, kind, witty and unwaveringly supportive. She is now, and always will be, greatly missed.
Dorothy is survived by her five children: Gerilyn Luciano, Donna Luciano, Linda (Troy) Lindenberg, Steven (Shawna) Luciano, and Joanne Luciano; six grandchildren: Jason (Antonia) Garcia, Steven (Alessandra) Garcia, Brian Lindenberg, Steven Luciano, Kristin Luciano, and Jennifer (Dom) Thomas-Shreckengost; and three great-grandchildren: Jack Garcia, Vivien Garcia, and Juliet Garcia.
Dorothy is also survived by siblings: Kathy Kappeller, George Young, Patricia Hayes Kereszteny, and John (Alice) Hayes.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents: Dorothea Cameron, Rickard Joseph Hayes, and George Guthrie and Elizabeth Kane Cameron (adoptive); and siblings Geraldine Cameron Lynski, Dian Liberatore, Patricia Noonan, Elizabeth Havlock, Barbara Hertle, Donald Young, Thomas Young, Henry Young, and Rickard "RJ" Hayes.
Services will be held at St. Anthony's Church in Atwater, CA on Friday, May 12, 2023. The Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be followed by Mass at 10:00 a.m. Her burial will immediately follow, at Lakewood Memorial Park, in Hughson, CA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: pages.lls.org/tnt/sac/ambbr23/LLindenberg
Disabled American Veterans
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
These are charities that were especially important to her.