Dorothy Ann Currie

Dody Currie passed away peacefully at her home in Montecito, CA. Dody was predeceased by her mother, Alice Flowers, and her husbands Thomas Evans Brittingham, Franklin Otis Booth Jr, A. Frederick Gerstell and John Waugh. She is survived by her husband, Eric Small, her son Scott (wife Ella) and daughters Ashley (husband Jeff) and Stephanie (husband Steve). Dody, aka Grandmommie, is survived by nine grandchildren- Dylan, Alexandra, Connor, Audrey, Harrison, Penelope, Serena, Tommy, and Charlotte. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dody was the only child of Alice Flowers and Malcolm Carmichael Currie. Raised in Hancock Park, Dody had idyllic childhood years until facing her first tragedy at the age of seven, when her father died suddenly. Broken hearted but, with steadfast perseverance Dody’s Los Angeles upbringing continued and her close friends from those early years remained in her life throughout. She attended Marlborough School and was a member of the class of 1952. After Marlborough, she attended Stanford and USC where she graduated in 1956 with degrees in Journalism and Elementary Education. At USC, she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She remained a loyal Trojan throughout her life.Two short years after Dody’s college graduation, tragedy struck a second time when Dody’s mother Alice died of breast cancer. Her friends became her family and support system. Her unique combination of clever intelligence, lively sense of humor and resolute stoicism helped greatly as she navigated the world on her own. Dody’s time after college included work as an elementary school teacher for the 2nd graders at El Rodeo in Beverly Hills, a model for Bullocks Wilshire and a hostess for the television show “Beat The Genius”. Dody always enjoyed an abundance of friendships and an active social life. Her motto was “half of life is simply showing up.” At the age of 26, Dody married Tom Brittingham and moved to Wilmington, Delaware. Living on the East Coast had been a lifelong dream and these years were some of her most joyous; as Tom was full of life, loved a good party like Dody, and loved to play the piano while friends sang along to the tunes. Tom brought Mary to the marriage and together, they had Scott and Ashley. Tom and Dody moved back to California in 1963 and they owned a racehorse together, Viking Spirit, and both shared a loved of horses and hosting friends at the races on the weekends. Viking Spirit won the Californian Race at Hollywood Park in 1965 where Cary Grant presented the silver trophy. Throughout her life, she always looked fondly back on her years as a racehorse owner. Tragically, Tom died at an early age leaving Dody widowed with two young children and facing yet another life-changing challenge. As luck would have it, staying single became a station in life that never lasted long for Dody. In 1966, she married Otis Booth merging their five children (Spike, Loren, Jenny, Scott and Ashley) and together having Stephanie, creating a large blended family of six children. Dody and Otis were married for 29 years, beginning in San Marino and later moving to the neighborhood of Bel Air where they finished raising their children. These were busy and happy years for Dody. While she was raising children, she also served on the Board of Las Madrinas, Marlborough School, and The Music Center. Her time was spent on family, friendships and philanthropy. Otis and Dody frequently entertained and traveled. Dody was a huge fan of large holiday celebrations and always went above and beyond to make Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter magical for her family. One of her most memorable parties was Otis’s 65th birthday where she brought in Bobby Short to play the piano while their guests danced the night away in their beautiful garden. She also loved their annual family trips to the Mauna Kea Hotel in Hawaii and Rio Blanco Ranch in Colorado, and spending summers at their homes in Sun Valley, ID and the beach community of St Malo, Oceanside. Dody caught on to her husband’s outdoorsman pursuits by learning to fish, shoot and accompany him on hunting trips. Even during those more rustic trips, Dody managed to look beautiful and enjoy a vodka while being part of the camaraderie and shared laughter. She was always a good sport!After her marriage to Otis, Dody remarried three more times: the late Fred Gerstell, the late John Waugh and Eric Small. Her last decade was spent living in Montecito, CA where she enjoyed the small community and getting away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Dody was asked to join the Leadership Council at The Mayo Clinic in 2007. She enjoyed her beautiful rose garden, walks around Birnam Wood, lunches on the terrace and attending the Santa Barbara symphony. She was an avid lover of music and theatre which she always tried to pass along to her children. She lived close to her children and grandchildren and loved their frequent visits. If character is defined by how one faces adversity then her children and grandchildren have only to look to Dody. Her remarkable intelligence, understated elegance, and beauty were exceptional. When combined with her quick wit and joyfulness, life around Dody had no limits. Dody will be greatly missed by her family and lifelong friends, as she made the world brighter for all who had the honor of knowing her and loving her. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes for donations to be made to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in honor of Dorothy Ann Currie. www.chla.org/donate or attention: Tiffanie Al-Nasser, MBA CHLA 4650 Sunset Blvd, #29 Los Angeles CA 90027.