Dorothy Lorine Torgerson Brewer

07/08/1921 – 10/29/2011

Dorothy Lorine Torgerson Brewer passed away on Saturday, October 29th, 2011 in Goleta, CA. She was 90 years old and had a long, full life. She was born in Malta, Montana on July 8, 1921 and grew up in Spokane WA. Dorothy was the fourth of five children and was part of a resourceful depression era family. She attended school in Spokane and graduated from Rogers High School in 1939.

During the 1940’s, Dorothy loved Big Band music and was an energetic and accomplished Jitterbug dancer. She married Don Brewer, a trombone player, in 1940. In 1942 Don was sent to fight in WWII in the Pacific. Dorothy spent the war years in Seattle, working as a waitress on the Bremerton Ferry, in the defense industry, and as a telephone switchboard operator. Don returned in 1945 and their son Gordon was born in 1947.

Dorothy resided in the Sacramento area for 54 years and worked for AT&T for 36 years. She had a keen interest in decorating and home design and would haul her architect-to-be son to model homes or spend hours rearranging the furniture. Throughout her life, she loved music and dancing.

In 2009, Dorothy moved to Santa Barbara to be close to her family. She will be remembered as a devoted mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and as a generous friend. Dorothy is survived by her son Gordon Brewer, daughter-in-law Judy Williams and grandson Jordan Brewer of Santa Barbara, CA. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no service, and her remains will be scattered at sea by the family. For those wishing to remember Dorothy, a donation to Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491 or www.arthritis.org, would be appreciated.

“Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light” Dylan Thomas