Dorothy Brent

In Loving Memory
Dorothy Brent
1925 – 2021
Dorothy ("Dottie") Brent, age 96, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at her home in Sunnyvale, California. She was a kind, selfless, brilliant, thoughtful, loyal and beautiful Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin and Friend, and will be greatly missed by all who were lucky to know her.

Dorothy was born in Cliffside Park, New Jersey to the late James Peter Bruley and Gertrude Bruley and is survived by her daughters and son, Jenny, Susan and Michael; her sister Virginia; her nieces Kathy and Nancy; and her great-nephews and great-niece.

Dorothy grew up in Cliffside Park and graduated from Cliffside Park High School. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in English from New Jersey State Teachers College in Montclair, and she received her Master of Arts in Vocational and Occupational Guidance from the Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City. She worked at Macy's New York in the 1950's as a Wage Administrator Supervisor and was one of only two women at that time to work on the coveted 16th Floor of Macy's. Her family and friends are so proud that she was one of the pioneering women who helped to pave the way for future generations of women and girls to break into male-dominated careers. In addition to raising her three children, Dorothy later worked as a substitute high school teacher in the Santa Clara School District for over 20 years.

In 1952, Dorothy married Marvin Brent in Manhattan, where they lived, worked and loved, and had their children. They moved to Sunnyvale, California in the early 1960s. She was preceded in death by her husband and many close friends and family.

Dorothy loved to read (everything!), swim and be near the water, visit the redwoods, and spend time with her family and friends.

She was the most amazing and loving Mother we could have dreamed of. We'll deeply miss her love, laughter, smile, insights, and her warm and gentle hugs.

Memorial donations may be made to the Save the Redwoods League at: savetheredwoods.org. A private memorial will be held at a later date.

Not a Day Will Go By
By Kelly Roper

Not a minute, not an hour
Not a day will go by we won't think of you
And smile or sigh.

You enriched our lives while you were here.
Now we must learn to live without you so near.

Time may soften the blow, but your memory won't fade.
Not a day will go by,
We won't wish you could have stayed.


View the online memorial for Dorothy Brent