Dorothy Alice Beesley died on Sunday, March 23, 2025. The first child of Leslie Cecil Dowding and his wife, Edna Peterich Dowding, she was born at the Willows Maternity Home on July 23, 1928.
As an infant, she was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Artois, just as her mother and grandmother had been. By the time of her birth, St. Paul’s congregation was a well-established cornerstone of her German and Danish immigrant great-grandparents’ and parents’ lives.
She often shared childhood memories of the annual church Mission Fest, held at her grandfather’s ranch just outside Artois. She fondly recalled children climbing into fig trees to play hide and seek after a potluck lunch, while parents waited for the homemade ice cream to set.
During the Depression years leading up to World War II, gas rationing prevented her from attending church in Artois. During that time, she attended the Baptist Church in Willows.
At age two, Dorothy became a big sister to Adele Mary. She quickly took on the role of a protective – sometimes bossy – big sister.
Dorothy’s childhood was filled with close-knit family connections and dear friends. However, fear and uncertainty struck when Adele, around age six, developed polio, just as many children across the United States did at that time.
The health department placed a quarantine sign on their family home, prohibiting visitors. To give Adele the best chance at recovery and to protect Dorothy from falling ill, Dorothy stayed with her grandparents at their Artois ranch for several months one summer.
She often recounted how frightened she was for her baby sister, who was sometimes hospitalized in San Francisco, all alone. Throughout her life, Dorothy never stopped worrying about Adele.
It was at the ranch that Dorothy formed her greatest childhood memories, shaping her lifelong passions. She developed a special bond with her German-speaking great-grandmother – a woman known to be rather stern, who spent her days reading her Bible.
Yet, she took a particular interest in Dorothy, often inviting her into her room to share various treasures, including antiques. This likely sparked Dorothy’s lifelong love for history and antiques.
When Dorothy was 10, she was blessed with a beautiful baby sister. She was the treasured baby of the family and, as such, was given the nickname, Babe.
During high school, Dorothy became an avid swimmer. Inspired by her father’s passion for teaching Red Cross first aid, she became a summer lifeguard at the local swimming pool and later pursued advanced lifeguard training in Oregon.
She was also active in Rainbow Girls, belonging to Willows Assembly #31 of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She was awarded the prestigious Grand Cross of Color, an honor she took great pride in.
After high school, she worked for the Willows School District, teaching swimming as part of the high school P.E. program. She later held various clerical and administrative positions, always recognized for her exceptional memory, a trait she retained throughout her life.
On September 12, 1954, she met the love of her life, Benjaman Marshal Beesley, at a bar at the Willows Hotel. They were married on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955.
Being a thrifty child of the Depression, she intentionally chose Easter Sunday for their wedding, knowing the church would already be decorated with beautiful lilies. Guests attended Easter service in the morning and returned at 3 p.m. for the ceremony.
Following their honeymoon, Dorothy and Ben moved to Ventura, where she worked as a receptionist in a doctor’s office while Ben worked in the oil fields. In 1958, while expecting their first child, Dorothy informed Ben that she would only raise their family near her relatives in the Willows/Artois area.
In late 1958, Dorothy gave birth to her daughter, Donna Ann, and just over three years later, her son, Karl Leslie Beesley, was born.
As a mother, she was an active 4-H, Rainbow Girls, DeMolay, and band mom, tirelessly driving miles to transport kids to events and cheer on band competitions. She baked for countless bake sales and fundraising dinners, served as a Mother Advisor for the Willows Rainbow Girls, and remained on the Rainbow Advisory Board for years.
She was also a dedicated member of the Willows High School Band Boosters Club – all while working full-time outside the home.
She had a distinguished career as a federal employee, working for the Mendocino National Forest. She received numerous service awards for her dedication and expertise, particularly during fire seasons.
She proudly survived breast cancer twice, once at age 85 and again at 88.
After her mastectomy, she experienced a stroke that changed her life but did not slow her down. Even with her walker, she proudly took part in the American Cancer Society’s Survivors Walk, smiling as she and her walker made each lap.
She spent her life deeply involved in community events within the Glenn County area. In the spring of 1950, she proudly assumed the role of Willows Lamb Derby Queen.
She was an active member of the Willows Eastern Star and most known as the Sauerkraut Queen as she supervised the making of the homemade sauerkraut for the annual St Paul’s Octoberfest. Sauerkraut Queen was a role she maintained for over 20 years.
In the last years of her life, she lived in a skilled nursing facility, where she stayed active and involved. She remained well-versed in current events and was able to enjoy occasional outings to family dinners, the annual Princeton Festa, and, of course, the annual Oktoberfest at St. Paul’s.
Dorothy was blessed with a life well-lived and a good death. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by people who loved her and held her hand.
She was able to leave this world knowing that the traditions she valued so greatly would be preserved and passed on, and that she had kept the memories and names of her ancestors alive. She served as a bridge from this current generation to many past generations.
She is survived by her children, Donna Beesley Kristensen (Sven) and Karl Leslie Beesley (Laureen); grandchildren Leia Finley, Amanda Finley Gonzalez (Jose), Maureen Finley Hornyak, Chalese Crowhurst Eggelston, Rachel Haelewyn (Josh), Elizabeth Crowhurst Schulthies (Jared), Christina Crowhurst, Sarah Beesley, and Seth Beesley; 11 great-grandchildren; sister Leslie Jean Dowding Busch (James); and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ben; parents; numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles; as well as her sister Adele Mary Whitcome (Harvey).
The Glenn County Observer 