Dorothy Margaret Power

July 27, 1932 - July 6, 2017

Dorothy Margaret Power passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones on July 6, 2017, in Palo Alto. She was three weeks shy of her 85th birthday.

Born in the Panama Canal Zone on July 27, 1932, she was the eldest daughter of Dorothy and Lt. Colonel Allan Fadness. Dorothy spent her childhood in the southern states during WWII, before her family moved to Los Angeles in 1944. She graduated from Montebello High School in 1950, and earned a degree in Elementary Education from Occidental College in 1954. She married Dan Power in 1956 and moved to Palo Alto, where she taught elementary school, raised her family, and lived the remainder of her life.

She was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and friend to many, both locally and abroad. Dorothy played an active role in raising her six grandchildren, caring for them during their early years. Over the decades, she hosted many exchange students and always had room for one more at her dinner table. With generosity and openness of spirit, she naturally shared affection and respect for those whose lives she touched. Her selfless nature was unwavering, as was her love of painting, floral arranging, traveling, or just spending time with loved ones. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto for over fifty years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Joanne Shramek of Whittier, CA. She is survived by her former husband, Dan Power, and her four children; Susan Power, Linda Lopez (Ignacio), Laura Alvarado (Julio), and Tom Power (Margi), as well as six grandchildren.

A celebration of her life will take place on Tuesday, August 22nd at 4PM at the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto (625 Hamilton Avenue). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation, in Dorothy’s memory, to Channing House, 850 Webster Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301.