Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker passed away on Monday August 2, 2021, after succumbing to complications brought on by Alzheimer’s disease. She is survived by her sister Barbara (Bob); five children; Danny (Nancy), Janet (Joe), Susan, Bill (Katherine) and John ( Shawna). Her four grandchildren; Joey, Katie, Matt and Kevin; and honorary daughter and caregivers Tammy (Eva). She is pre-deceased by her husband Jack, and sister Mary.

Dorothy will be remembered for her kind heart, welcoming hugs, generosity and sense of humor. Her door was always open to family, friends and neighbors. She welcomed people into her home and treated them like family.

Dorothy was born in Detroit Michigan, and graduated from Harper Nursing School in Michigan. After graduation, she and her girlfriends took a road trip to California to attend the Rose Bowl to watch Michigan State verses UCLA. Once in California, they decided to drive up the coast to San Francisco before going back to Michigan. They had so much fun in California, that only one of the gals went back to Michigan. The others stayed in San Francisco, where Dorothy met her soon to be husband, Mervin “Jack” Parker. Jack and Dorothy moved to Santa Barbara in the early 1960’s when Jack was offered a promotion and opportunity to transfer to Crocker Bank in either Chino or Santa Barbara.

They relocated to Santa Barbara where Dorothy joined the nursing staff at Cottage Hospital. She spent her career at Cottage Health Systems in various roles, where she retired as Director of Nursing after thirty-three years. Dorothy earned her bachelor’s degree in Management while working full time at Cottage Hospital and raising her children. In her spare time, she also worked part-time for the Santa Barbara Visiting Nurses Association.

After retiring, Dorothy enjoyed traveling with her friends, volunteering at Direct Relief, taking the dogs to the “dog park” and spending time with her family and especially her grandchildren. She said that had she known how wonderful grandchildren were, she would have had them first.

A private service will be held on September 3, 2021. In lieu of flowers, you may memorialize Dorothy by donating to your favorite charity, or one of Dorothy’s favorites: Food Bank of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara Rescue Mission. Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara. Visiting Nurse and Hospice care of Santa Barbara. Direct Relief International. Alzheimer’s Association. Friendship Center of Santa Barbara.