On Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016, much loved mother, grandmother, great and great-great grandmother, Dorothy Winger Gaither, passed away peacefully at her home in Laguna Beach.
Dorothy was born in Glendale, Calif., in 1920. Even as a child, Dorothy displayed a spirit of creativity and enthusiasm for life. Throughout high school, she avidly pursued her interests in art and drama. It was in a Los Angeles theater arts class that she met her husband of 36 years, John Logan Gaither.
For the next several years, Gaither devoted herself to being a wife and mother to two daughters, while continuing to pursue her love of acting in community theater as well as actively serving in the P.T.A. in leadership roles.
After the death of her husband in 1977, Gaither moved permanently from Los Angeles to the family summer home in Laguna Beach. She worked for 10 years at Robinsons-May in Fashion Island as assistant manager in designer fashion and then retired.
However, never one to remain inactive, Gaither, who was an enthusiastic yoga practitioner for many years, sought to share the benefits of this healthful practice with others by becoming a yoga teacher for seniors at the Laguna Beach Community Center. Gaither volunteered for many years at The Friends of the Library Bookshop in Laguna Beach and served with dedication as manager until her death.
Gaither was the inspiration and role model of courage for her family. Despite a debilitating jaw surgery in 1999 that limited her ability to communicate effectively with others, she continued to face each day with optimism and enthusiasm, a vibrant example of how to cherish life. She will be deeply missed by her family, but forever in their hearts.
She is survived by her daughters Pamela and Karen, her grandchildren David and Paula, their three children and one grandchild as well as her beloved niece Sharon, her children Toni and Jack and their five children. The family will celebrate her life on Sept. 7 aboard the Neptune Society’s boat The Orca in Newport Beach and will scatter her ashes at sea. The family requests that any memorial gifts be donated to The Friends of the Library Bookshop of Laguna Beach.
