Dorothy Marie Tilley

April 10, 1930 - December 14, 2021

Dorothy was born, Dorothy Marie Carpenter, April 10th, 1930, in South Gate, California. Dorothy was the second daughter, and youngest child of 4 of Earl and Bessie Carpenter. Dorothy’s younger years were spent in both Downey, and Huntington Park, California. Dorothy graduated from Huntington Park High School in 1948. After graduation, she met her future husband, Rufus Edgar “Ed” Tilley. They were married, August 19th, 1951 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ed was serving in the Army in Korea, and Dorothy lived in San Luis Obispo from 1951 to 1953. When Ed returned from his service in the military, they moved back to Downey. Except for two years in Tucson, Arizona, Dorothy spent the next 53 years in Downey.

In 2006, Dorothy sold her Downey home, and moved to Laguna Niguel, California. There she spent the next 10 years. In 2016, Dorothy moved into a condo in Dana Point, California. Around 2018, Dorothy started showing signs of Dementia. She spent one more year in Dana Point, before moving into an Assisted Living facility in San Juan Capistrano, California. She lived one year there. A little over one year ago, Dorothy moved to a Board and Care, Granny’s Place in Mission Viejo, California. She was there until she was admitted into the hospital, 8 days before she passed away.

In 1953, Dorothy gave birth to her only child, a son, John Tilley. Dorothy is survived by her son John, her daughter-in-law, Karen Tilley, her four grandchildren, Alyson Tilley Cornelius, Kirk Tilley, Shannon Tilley, and Erin Tilley. Dorothy has two great grandchildren. Henry, and Adeline Cornelius.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Tilley, her mother and father, and her 3 siblings, Lucille Carpenter Huntsman, Robert Carpenter, and Floyd Carpenter.

Dorothy worked for many years for newspapers doing display advertising. She worked over 25 years for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner.

Dorothy loved her family, she loved spoiling her son and grandkids. She loved going out to eat, loved animals, especially giraffes, elephants, dogs, and horses. She loved to travel, and frequently went with John and his family to Hawaii, Alaska, numerous cruises, Paris, and other trips to Europe. She also loved going to Las Vegas, and to New York City. She loved the bright lights, and playing slot machines.

Dorothy passed away, December 14th, 2021 in Mission Viejo, California. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to Red Bucket Equine Rescue, Chino Hills, California.