Tracey Felton Dodds passed away on October 10, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, strength, courage, professional achievement, and an adventurous spirit that touched the lives of all who knew her.

Born on December 5, 1956, in New York City to Lester and Bernadette “Bunny” Felton, Tracey moved with her family to Worcester, Massachusetts, at an early age. She graduated from Marian Central Catholic High School before attending Wheaton College, where she majored in pre-law and minored in astronomy. She continued her education at Franklin Pierce Law School, earning her law degree and embarking on a distinguished legal career dedicated to serving families and protecting children.

Following law school, Tracey relocated to California, first settling in the Merced area and later moving to Bakersfield, where she practiced family law. She subsequently moved to Lakewood, California, continuing her work as a family law attorney before joining the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office.

Throughout more than 30 years of dedicated service with Los Angeles County Counsel, Tracey made a meaningful difference in her community. She served in the Dependency Division, representing the County in court proceedings involving the welfare and protection of children and families. She later transitioned to the Appeals Division, where she applied her extensive legal knowledge and experience to responding to appellate briefs. Her dedication and professional accomplishments earned her a promotion to Principal Deputy County Counsel, the highest professional rank attainable without entering management. Her career was a testament to her intelligence, determination, and unwavering commitment to justice.

Although Tracey took great pride in her professional accomplishments, her life revolved around four great loves: her husband, Wayne Samuel Dodds; her daughter, Madelynn Ann Dodds; her profession as an attorney; and her passion for nature photography.

On March 21, 1998, Tracey married Wayne Samuel Dodds, beginning a cherished chapter of her life. Their family grew with the birth of their beloved daughter, Madelynn Ann Dodds, on March 19, 1999. Her husband and daughter remained at the heart of her world, and the love she held for them was among her greatest joys and accomplishments.

With an adventurous spirit and a fierceness often compared to that of a wolf, Tracey embraced life with courage, independence, and an eagerness to explore the world. Travel was one of her greatest pleasures, taking her to extraordinary destinations including Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, Japan, the Amazon, the Caribbean, and the American Southwest. She especially enjoyed cruising, discovering new places, experiencing different cultures, and creating lasting memories along the way.

Wherever her adventures took her, her camera was rarely far behind.

An avid lover of the outdoors, Tracey found peace and inspiration in nature, particularly while hiking through wilderness landscapes. Her appreciation for the natural world was beautifully expressed through her photography. With an artistic eye and a passion for capturing the extraordinary beauty of ordinary moments, she established Felton Fotography, a venture dedicated to sharing her photographic art and preserving the wonders she encountered.

Her passion for photography became more than a personal pursuit; it became a lasting family legacy. Today, Felton Fotography continues through her daughter, Madelynn, ensuring that Tracey’s artistic vision and love of capturing life’s beauty live on for generations to come.

Tracey also shared a deep affection for animals, whose companionship brought warmth, comfort, and unconditional love to her life. Her beloved cats, Booby and Kitty, were among her first furry companions, sharing her life aboard her boat. They were followed by her cherished dogs, Carley, Harry, her beloved poodle, and Olive. Tracey was rarely without a furry friend by her side, and her love for her animals was an enduring part of who she was.

Tracey was a woman of remarkable strength, fierce determination, intelligence, and independence. She approached life with courage, embraced adventure with enthusiasm, and found beauty in the world around her. Whether advocating for children and families in the courtroom, exploring distant corners of the world, capturing the perfect photograph, or spending time with those she loved most, Tracey lived with passion and purpose.

She will be remembered not only for her distinguished legal career and artistic talents but also for her adventurous soul, her fierce spirit, and the love she shared so generously with her family and friends.

Tracey’s legacy is one of strength, courage, beauty, adventure, and, above all, love. Though her presence will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on through the family she cherished, the lives she touched, the photographs she created, and the memories she leaves behind.

Her story does not end with her passing. It continues in the hearts of those who knew and loved her, in the beauty of the world she captured through her lens, and in the legacy lovingly carried forward by her daughter.

Forever loved, deeply missed, and never forgotten.