Dorothy Howard

Dorothy Howard was born in England to Samuel & Daisy Yearrell on October (September) 9, 1923. She went home to be with the Lord on November 1, 2018 at the age of 95. She was surrounded by family and passed away peacefully at her home in Menifee, California.

Dorothy was born in England in the district of St. Neots (county of Cambridgeshire). At the age of 22, she traveled on President Tyler (ship name) and arrived in the United States (port of New York, New York) on July 28, 1946. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States on February 21, 1958.

Dorothy came to the United States through the marriage of her first husband, Theodore (Ted) Mullins. She was married in 1943 at the age 20 and through this marriage, she bore her first four children: Jill Mullins, Paul Mullins, and Joanne Mullins (and one having died at birth). She then later married her true love, John Fisher, who passed of a stroke at the early age of 38 (October, 1955). Through this marriage, she bore three additional children: Sandra Fisher, Theresa Fisher, and Antonia Fisher. She was married a total of four times, with the last marriage providing her the Howard name.

After coming to the United States, Dorothy was a homemaker (with the exception of a short two week employment in the dining area of McDonalds). She resided in the city of Gardena, California for several years, which is where her children grew up. She later moved to Lomita, California, where she lived with her grown daughter (Theresa), three grandchildren (Julia, Sheila, and Timothy), and Grandpa Ted (her ex-husband). She later moved to Long Beach, California where she lived with her granddaughter Julia (and family) for a number of years. When family members moved to the city of Menifee, California, she moved there also and resided with her granddaughter Makiesa (and family) for a number of years before then moving to her final destination at the home of Frank and Antonia (Toni) Leonetti (daughter and son-in-law).

Grandma Dorothy was cared for by her family throughout her entire life, which meant she got to be deeply rooted in our families' lives. We all had a very close relationship with her and have so many special memories to take away from the years spent with her. She was a very special lady and we are all very glad she was a part of our lives.

In 2011, the family came together for her 88th birthday and gave her an English "Tea Party." We decorated hats and replicated the food that is typical at these events, trying to bring back special memories (and making new special memories) for her. We were able to bring all family members together (which was rare) to celebrate with her and while she originally didn't want any fuss or recognition of her birthday, it ended up being the best celebration ever and she was extremely grateful for the event. This memory will be a lasting treasure for our family.

Dorothy will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Sandra Henness (Fisher), daughter Theresa Kruger (Fisher), daughter Antonia Leonetti (Fisher), son-in-law Frank Leonetti, 9 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild and many other family members and cherished friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her daughter Jill Mullins, son Paul Mullins, daughter Joanne Mitchell (Mullins), and grandson Timothy Kruger (Page).

She was loved by all and will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life will be held on December 15, 2018
at First Missionary Baptist Church of Bellflower.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to St Jude Children's Hospital, something that was near and dear to her heart.