Dorothy Mae Harmon

Dorothy Mae Harmon (Nelson)

Dorothy was born on October 14, 1925 in Dixon, Illinois. She was an only (and lonely) child. She always wanted a brother.

Her mother Gertrude Bernice “Trudy” worked in Borden Company in Dixon in the candy department. They sold caramel candy, chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

Her father John Oltman Nelson (his initials come out to J.O.N.) was raised by his aunt and uncle. He worked with used cars, junk dealer, crane, and even worked on a trash truck. He dug basements with a crane and had a one of a kind personality. John played Santa Claus in his hometown and would go around the neighborhood.

Dorothy accepted Christ when she was 5 years old with the help of Pastor Unagst. She attended church and Sunday school regularly.

She attended Truman School (school was around the corner) up until 3rd grade. She attended Woodworth School for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. She later attended E.C. Smith School for a short time (the wood stairs had big holes in them where your feet were placed).

For 7th and 8th grade she attended the brand new (and lovely) Lincoln School in Dixon. Dorothy was the phone girl for her room and was allowed to answer the phone in the room when it rang. This was big stuff back then. Her teacher’s name was Clara Barton.

She attended Dixon High School (the same school Charles (future husband) went to and former President Ronald Reagan’s alma mater). Mr. Reagan’s nickname was “Dutch Reagan”.

During her junior and senior year at Dixon High School, she was a 1st Majorette. She attended the high school for 4 years. Dorothy would march in events in town, and during football games. During one event she marched by Ronald Reagan’s convertible in the city (he was there to dedicate a field).

Dorothy sometimes drove the trash truck for her Dad and was paid $15 (her dad would say: “you can do it!”) She also worked in Banta’s Ice Cream Parlor. She worked at Phillip’s Bakery where she worked at the counter. She worked at 2 dime stores in high school. At age 16, both stores burned down.

Once WWII came, she worked at the OPA Office of Price Administration. Right out of high school (a week later) she was a tire clerk from 1943-1945. She would bring tires to the shop to see if the customers really needed them (because of the wartime shortages). Dorothy was the winner of selling the most war bonds on her street. She still has the small beaded purse (her award for selling the most bonds).

Dorothy then worked at County Health Department. She was one of two office girls. She would type all the nurse’s reports. She got asked to work at the court house, so she left the health department for a better position.

In 1949, she married Charles at Bethel United Evangelical Church in Dixon. The wedding reception took place in the church basement. The church was full of people and there were people sitting in the choir section.

For the honeymoon, they went to Florida in a convertible.

Their first daughter Karol was born while they were still living in Dixon, Illinois. Soon after Karol’s birth, the family came to live in a trailer park (10 trailers total) in Gardena, California. They pulled a trailer with a brand new car (Green Kaiser car) that cost $1,500.

While living in Gardena, Dorothy would babysit 2 kids (Betty and Bill). The Landlord had a child. Dorothy would iron and do the husbands laundry.

The family then moved to an apartment in Compton, California (which was close to the airport).

In 1955, Charles was hired by the Long Beach Police department and the family moved to their house on Conquista in the city of Long Beach (where she lived the rest of her life).

In March 1955, son Doug was born at St. Mary’s where Charles came late at night still in his LBPD uniform.

Dorothy was at Disneyland the first day they opened and Grandma Harmon went with them. Charles said that Disneyland was a glorified carnival, was windy, and the umbrellas blew over. He thought that it wouldn’t succeed.

They started attending Bethany Church in 1958. Dorothy was in the church choir and also taught kindergarten Sunday school at Bethany. She loved to do home visits. All 3 of the kids attended Bethany School, grades K-9.

In October 1958, daughter Gloria was born in Seaside hospital. The hospital was new and Dr. Nixon delivered the baby (people thought that Dorothy and the doctor were cousins).

When Charles was gone weekends (flying with the Air Force Reserve), Dorothy would have the kids do chores around the yard and house, then take the kids on rides to a restaurant for a Hamburger. Dorothy was a very active Mother and always dressed up for Halloween, and always dressed up in Holiday garb for the other days.

She enjoyed the family’s annual summer vacations to Shaver Lake, camping out, riding in the ski boat, and being with her family and friends. As the kids grew older, Dorothy remained active and supportive in the kids’ lives. Karol became a PE Teacher at Bethany, later a Missionary to Japan, and a Children’s / Women’s Director at Church. Doug got his degree from CSULB, and operated his own business. Gloria became a Registered Nurse.

As grandchildren began to arrive, she became ‘Nannie’ to everybody. She loved going to the various school, sports, and family events. In fact, they filled her calendar. With Nanny and Poppy, the more school, sporting, and family events the better. Words can hardly describe the encouragement and support that Nanny (and Poppy) would give to the grandkids in their various endeavors. She has left a deep and permanent impression in each of the kids’ lives. Nanny and Poppy were also like grandparents to all of the grandkid’s friends. They were genuinely loved and appreciated by all.

The greatest gift that Nanny has left for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren is her deep love for the Lord, and living it out each and every day.

For the past several years, Nanny would drive her minivan 7 days a week and loved to be on the go. She was seen out and about by neighbors, friends, and family. She was always on the go on errands, coffee and food stops, and visiting with various people she would happen to run into. She loved living in her original Conquista Ave house since 1955.

Dorothy’s wish for her 93th birthday on October 14th was to go to the Ronald Reagan museum (because Reagan was from her hometown Dixon, Illinois).

It is difficult to put into words, the countless ways that she has touched and affected peoples’ lives with whom she came in contact with. When her health began to decline, and she couldn’t drive anymore, numerous friends, neighbors, and acquaintances immediately noticed and were concerned about what was going on.

In May, she came to live with daughter Gloria and family, and dogs. She always loved being surrounded by family. Even though her body was ‘shutting down’, her spirit and attitude remained positive and uplifting. When she had her emergency surgery in July, every single Nurse and hospital staff commented on her amazing positive and appreciative outlook. The same thing happened at the Rehab facility she spent 82 days at. No staff wanted her to leave. Her doctor wanted to take her attitude and bottle it for the other patients. Nanny had a health setback and was hospitalized at St Mary’s for 8 days. Once again, though her health was deteriorating, she brought a smile to the whole staff on the 7th Floor. Her #1 wish was to get out, and to ‘come home’. She was released from the hospital on November 3rd. The final days of her life were spent with family on Conquista Ave (in Lakewood). All of her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids were able to visit. She kept the twinkle in her eye and the love of Christ was so evident on her face up until when she took her final breath in peace on November 10th with family by her side.

Nanny will be missed, but we are comforted in the fact that she is with her Lord and Savior Jesus.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401