Dorothy Roscher Lampe

Dorothy "Dot" Roscher Lampe passed away peacefully in Portola Valley, California on November 14, 2013 from complications following a fall.

                Born June 16, 1916 in Mount Vernon, New York, to Chris and Frieda Roscher, Dorothy had fond memories of her childhood.  A talented dancer at the young age of three, she was chosen for a part in the movie, "A Fool and His Money."  Crushed when her family moved to Pelham Manor, New York in 1929, she continued to keep in touch with her friends from Mount Vernon.  Affectionately known as "The Gang," they had many good times together through the youth group at the local Congregational Church, parties at the Pelham residence and dances at Glen Island Casino, where the top bands of the day played.

                Dorothy graduated from Pelham High School in 1932 and after a year of post-graduate work entered Wells College in upstate New York in the fall of 1933.  Always active, she was president of the drama and debate clubs and captain of the tennis team.  She graduated in May of 1937 with a double major in economics and math.

                After college she entered the work force earning $20.00 a week, the highest of all Wells' graduates.  In 1941, on a weekend visit to see a friend, Dorothy met the love of her life, Alfred Lampe, a Naval officer and Annapolis graduate.  They were married in March of 1942 and soon thereafter Al left for the Pacific theatre and World War II.  When the war ended, Al left the service and entered the world of insurance.  Dorothy loved being a stay-at-home mom raising their three children, Don, Chris and Janet. 

                 Following stops in Maryland and Pennsylvania, Al was transferred to California and the family set up residence in Palo Alto in 1953.  Sadly, Al was diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig's disease and died in 1962. 

                Dorothy re-entered the work force as the hostess at the University Club of Palo Alto, rising to the position of Assistant Manager.  Looking for more challenges, she joined Alhouse Realty in 1969 and was chosen Realtor of the Year for Palo Alto in 1974.  From 1968 to 1973 she also served on the Board of Trustees for Wells College.  In 1983 she retired from real estate and enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She moved to The Sequoias in Portola Valley in 1993 where she shared her life with her wonderful companion, Crayton Thorup, a fellow resident at The Sequoias. 

                One of Dorothy's favorite pastimes was relaxing in Aptos, where she had a second home.  Many summer weekends were spent lying on the beach at Rio Del Mar.  In 1994 Dorothy discovered Crystal cruising and treated her whole family to cruises to Alaska, Mexico and through the Panama Canal. Dorothy loved nothing better than throwing parties and entertaining family and friends.  Her annual Christmas party was an event that she hosted for 50 years.

                Throughout her life, Dorothy had many passions and hobbies including travel, tennis, bridge, puzzles, games, painting, and cheering on the San Francisco Giants. At The Sequoias she especially enjoyed playing bridge, feeding the birds that frequented her patio, delivering May baskets to her friends, and making teddy bears for hospitalized children.

               Despite her many achievements, Dorothy will be most fondly remembered for her commitment to her husband and her children, and for being a woman who lived a life with distinction and honor.  She leaves a legacy that her children and family can be proud of and that will endure with the countless people whose lives she touched.

                Dorothy is survived by her three children, Don and his wife, Barbara of Bethesda, Maryland, Chris and his wife, Leigh of Sunnyvale, California, and Janet of Aptos, California. She was a loving grandmother to her five grandchildren, John Lampe of Arvada, Colorado, Jessica Parker and her husband, Frank of Laurel, Maryland, Alicia Gilbert of Gaithersburg, Maryland, Lyndon Lampe and his wife, Marisa of Rhinelander, Wisconsin and Leyton Lampe and his wife, Joy, of Sunnyvale, California.  She was an adoring great grandmother to her eight great grandchildren, Alex, Grant, and Chase Lampe of Arvada, Colorado, Nikki Bracamontes and her husband, Daniel, of Silver Spring, Maryland, Julia Parker of Laurel, Maryland, Matthew Gilbert and his wife, Taylor, of Annapolis, Maryland and Kaleah and Kalvyn Lampe of Sunnyvale, California.  She was so proud of her one great great grandchild, Daniel Bracamontes of Silver Spring, Maryland.

                The family prefers that donations in Dorothy's memory be given to The Tomorrow Fund at The Sequoias or to a charity of one's choice.