Dortha Jean Kiernan

Dortha Jean Kiernan entered into the presence of her Savior on July 30, 2025. She was 93. Born in Fresno, CA on January 7, 1932 to Donald Hubbard of Presque Isle, ME, and Lois Matteson of Madera, CA, and had a younger brother, Roland Hubbard. Her family moved to Los Angeles, where she attended 6th Avenue Elementary, Gompers Junior High, and John C. Fremont High School, graduating in 1950. Dortha married Bruce Kiernan in 1951, became parents to three daughters, Karen, Kim, and Kari, and moved to Bellflower, CA. Dortha became a widow in her mid-forties, never remarrying. Instead, she lavished her love and affections on her grandchildren and forged everlasting bonds with each one. In the early 1990s, she moved to San Diego.

Dortha’s career spanned over many years, coming in and out of the workforce around family commitments until her early retirement due to health concerns. She worked 25 years for Downey Heat Treating as executive secretary and retired as personnel manager. She attended Cerritos Community College and received a Certificate in Management. She loved to travel and visited most of the United States, as well as Mexico, Canada, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, and Spain. She was a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Zeta Gamma Chapter. She enjoyed music, dancing, crocheting, knitting, crafts, and watching movie classics. Her mainstays were the Turner Classic Movie channel and reruns of “Murder, She Wrote” and “Perry Mason”. She had a sweet tooth for vanilla ice cream, Mr. Goodbars, Almond Joys, and York Peppermint Patties.

Dortha was a lifelong believer in Jesus Christ as her Savior, and was an active member of Torrance Evangelical Church where she served as Sunday School Superintendent, and then Chula Vista Community Church, where she served as Deacon, the congregational correspondent, and in senior ministry. She had a strong heart, a gentle spirit, and an ever-present faith. She was loved and admired by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Dortha is survived by daughters Karen Cook-Starks, Kim Overgaauw (Marlo), and Kari Thomas; grandchildren Laura Barnes (Ron), Kathryn Moore (Jeb), Christopher Hughey (Andie), and Amanda Hughey; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, three nieces and two nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce, brother Roland, granddaughter Alyssa Cook, and sons-in-law Richard Cook, Anthony Starks, and Steven Thomas.

A viewing will be held on August 8, 2025 at 3:00pm, followed by her service at 4:00pm at Featheringill Mortuary, 6322 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92115.  Private interment at Forest Lawn - Cypress, CA.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation of any size in Dortha’s memory to CAPS Pregnancy+ Medical Clinics www.friendsofcaps.org or UCSD Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (please specify NICU - Hillcrest) https://giveto.ucsd.edu.