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June 4, 1932 — Nov. 18, 2012
Dorothy Gayle Allen was born June 4, 1932 in Las Vegas, Nev., the youngest of the three daughters of Floyd and Cora Allen. She attended elementary school in Pocatello, Idaho. Later her family moved to Southern California and she graduated from San Fernando High School in 1950. She met the love of her life, Buddy Atkins, in September of 1950; she was dating one of his best friends at the time. He stole her away and they were married JuIy 23, 1952. They moved to El Dorado County in 1955. They lived in Shingle Springs for 10 years, then bought Buddy’s parents’ home on 20 acres just outside Placerville in 1965. They raised their four children there, then moved to a retirement home they built on the same property in 1991.
Dorothy loved her family dearly; being a mom and wife were two of her main priorities in life. She worked at Sears on Broadway in the late 1960s, then waited tables at Rancho Murrieta Country Club and Cameron Park Country Club part time. She loved horses and shared that with her children. Her quarter horse, “Starbaby,” was one of her favorites. She enjoyed gardening, canning fruit and vegetables, making jam and the farm lifestyle they created. That included horses, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens and several dogs and cats over the years. She was an excellent seamstress and made several dresses, costumes and doll clothes. She loved to shoot pool and bowl; she was on several league teams. She also loved Bingo. She and her Bingo buddies played many nights at the local fairground and in Reno. Later in life she made beautiful porcelain dolls. She won first prize at the El Dorado County fair with her “Father Christmas” doll and enjoyed all the activities with the doll club she belonged to.
As much as Dorothy loved her kids, being a grandma was one of her greatest joys in life. After Buddy retired they took several road trips in their motor home and often one of the five grandkids would accompany them on their adventures. In July of 2002 they celebrated 50 years of marriage. Their children hosted a wonderful celebration party for them and then they went on an Alaskan Cruise.
Dorothy devoted the last several years of her life to taking care of Buddy after he suffered a stroke. She is survived by her daughter, Christine and husband, Max Beeghley; son, Michael; son, Russell; daughter, Sandra and husband, Gary Pertle; five grandchildren, Jason, Travis, Bonnie, Jessica and Ben; two great-grandchildren, Jared and Addie Marie; her sister, Bonnie Munschy; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Cora Allen; her sister, June Clother; and her husband of 59 years, Buddy Vern Atkins.
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