Notre Dame Associate Dorothy Ellen Tremblay died in her sleep on Friday, August 28, at the age of 93. She made her first commitment as an Associate in 1993.
Dot. E., as she liked to be called, was born in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, on Nov. 24, 1926. She grew up on the family farm and attended St. Mary's Springs Academy. She later moved to Spokane, Washington, with her stepmother and older brother, Jim. It was there, at a dance, where she met the love of her life, Malcolm Tremblay.
They were wed on May 7, 1949, and were married more than 50 years before he passed away. They had five children — Mary (Swaneagle), John, Tim, Moira and Margaret — who gave her 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grand kids.
Dorothy was an active member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church as a lector and member of the 60 Plus Club. She was an associate of the Sisters of Notre Dame, and also was a Catholic Daughter, and devoted a large part of her life to the church.
Dorothy was a personnel director for the U.S. Forest Service, breaking the glass ceiling and rising in rank to offices never held by women.
When she retired, she went to work for her son as his personal assistant, and worked until she was nearly 90. All the while, she loved and helped all of her children with their children.
Dot E. never passed up game of 10K (dice) with her buddy Carolyn and her kids. She loved cats, always wanting one on her lap. Crossword puzzles were always nearby, and she was still doing them up until she passed. She loved to read, sometimes out loud to whomever would listen. Going out to lunch and having a glass of wine were favorite activities — making memories she called it.
Dot.E. was a positive, loving, kind, generous, patient, stylish, and funny lady. We will miss her deeply.
This poem was written by her late husband, Max:
Our hearts are sad, great loss we feel
Your loving heart, your creative zeal
The joy you scattered throughout our days
Warmed our hearts like sun's bright rays
You've been a friend, a guiding light
You brought God's love within our sight
We'll miss you, dear, all prayers we share-
Small thanks to show how much we care.
She is in heaven now with her love Max and baby Brady, watching over us all. We know exactly what her last words to all of us would be; "Do your best."
Her toast: "Here's to you and here's to me. If you love me as I love you, then here's to you. But if you don't love me as I love you, to hell with you, here's to me!"
A Funeral Mass was scheduled for September 5, on the grass at the Santa Barbara Mission.