Dorothy Lois Moses, age 99, a longtime Aberdeen resident passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2022 in an assisted living home in Aberdeen, Washington.
Dorothy was born on November 15, 1922 in Fort Worth, Texas to parents, Jesus and Luz (Ramirez) Aguilar. When she was very young the family moved to Manteca, California. She attended Castle Grammar School and later graduated from Manteca Union High School in 1939 at just 16 years of age. Dorothy was eager to be in the workforce, but faced difficulties because of her young age. Dorothy attended Humphrey’s College in Stockton, California. She completed study programs and was certified to work as a bookkeeper, administrative assistant and stenographer. Eventually Dorothy worked with the Department of Defense as the administrative secretary to Major William Grove. While working for the DOD during World War II, she met a young military policeman by the name of Francis Moses. Dorothy married Francis on January 22, 1944 in Stockton, California. After the completion of her husband’s military contract, the young couple moved to Gray’s Harbor and Aberdeen, Washington where they purchased the home where Dorothy would reside for the next 75 years. Dorothy and Francis started their family and had two children, Francis Jr. and Charles. Dorothy attended Grays Harbor College in 1964-1965, obtaining her Licensed Practical Nursing certification. In 1966 she began working as a nurse on the surgical unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Aberdeen, Washington. She retired from the hospital in 1988. In retirement, Dorothy volunteered as a bilingual tutor and aide at Robert Gray Elementary School. Dorothy loved to travel with her husband. They took journeys to many different locations. A favorite destination was Reno, Nevada. She also enjoyed sewing, baking, cooking and canning a variety of foods. She loved her garden and generously shared the abundance of berries and vegetables with neighbors, friends and the community.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Francis Moses Sr., her parents, brothers Arthur Aguilar, James Aguilar, Jess Aguilar and Connie Aguilar, and sister Frances Estrada. Dorothy is survived by her sons, Frank Moses (Dorie) of Aberdeen, Washington and Chuck Moses (Judy) of Elma, Washington, sisters Rita Silva of Stockton, California, Santa Rufner of San Jose, California, Minerva Martz of Manteca, California and Martha Swartz of Saratoga, California; three grandchildren Jesse and his wife Krista, Alicia and her
husband Ruben, and Dion, and seven great-grandchildren, Bradley, Joseph, Alexis, Mathew, Jacob, Zachery and Lillie.
A private funeral was held. Arrangements were entrusted to Teilbell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Washington.
Dorothy’s life is celebrated and remembered by all who knew her with love, deepest respect and enduring gratitude.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
<*J>Saturday, September 3, 2022
