In Loving Memory of Dottie Ault
May 7, 1926 - October 27, 2002

Those of us who knew and loved Dottie were thrilled that she was able to retire three years ago to enjoy life with her husband Joe and their dog Sassy. Sadly, on October 27, 2002, Dottie passed away after a long illness. She will be missed.

I chose the above photo rather than an individual picture because Dottie was always happiest when surrounded by friends.

My personal thanks go to Dottie and Joe for all of your lessons on life and business, most notably your constant reminders to "Stop and smell the roses!"

You will be with us always.
James Jepsen, formerly Assistant Manager of Santa Maria store 1101.
We are trying to get word to all of Dottie's former employees. If you have email addresses for anyone, please send them to me at orcrush@mac.com.

Dottie's funeral was held in Goleta on Friday, November 1, 2002. As you know, Dottie was not big on funerals, in fact her explicit wishes were for the ceremony to take no longer than 15 minutes. For those of you unable to attend, below is the transcript of the brief ceremony as read by Joe Ault (Junior), Dottie's son.

Welcome family and friends of Dottie Ault. For those of you that do not know me I’m Joe---Dottie’s son. My mother requested and wanted a simple ceremony today---attended by family and friends. She wanted each of you to know how much you meant to her and that she loved each of you very much.

It’s with a heavy heart that I will lead us in honoring and reflecting on my mother’s life. I’m sure she is up there right now –looking down on us and saying ---JoJo don’t mess things up—keep speeches short and to the point---no more than 2 minutes. Well Mom we’ll do the best we can.

On May 7, 1926, Dottie began her life on a farm in East Texas. She was the youngest of four sisters and one bother. Her father—known to me as Papa---was Joseph Robinson and her mother was Mary Bell Lindsay.

Papa and my Mom made their way to California in 1940. She graduated from Poly High School in Long Beach. Shortly there afterwards she worked as a welder in the Long Beach Shipyards to support our war efforts.

Mom and Dad met one evening at the Pike in Long Beach. Dad, a handsome sailor in the Coast Guard, knew he met someone very special. He pursued her and married her soon afterwards. This February would have been their 60th Wedding Anniversary together as husband and wife.

During the next 59+ years Mom, Dad, and our family experienced many eventful times together----as with all families---many highs and some lows.

To our family my mother was everything---Mom, cook, housekeeper, welder (we constructed a family pool in our backyard in Tucson---Mom was our welder), bus driver (she drove our school bus between Topock and Kingman, Arizona---50 miles one way trip), Bookkeeper, party organizer, cheerleader, swim coach, softball player—she played catcher on the ladies softball team my Dad managed. We all took a family trip to the Worlds’ Fair in Seattle when I was 15. Mom and Dad celebrated an anniversary in Tahiti---a trip she talked about for many years.

Mom self taught herself Bookkeeping---a skill that served her well throughout her life. She worked is several jobs/positions as company bookkeeper to support our family with addition income. She probably knew more about keeping credible and accurate books than most CPAs or CFOs.

Mom and Dad supported and encouraged me to attend college and graduate school. They both attended Randi’s and my graduation from UCSB---her with a BA and me with a PhD in Chemical Engineering.

She raised a family—experienced the joy of being a Nana and Grandmother to several grand kids. She got see her grand kids go to college and recently attended in July Susanne’s and Dave’s wedding in Ventura.
Mom had and survived breast cancer some 25 years ago.

She and Dad celebrated their 50 wedding anniversary with friends and family here in Santa Barbara.

At the age of 50 Mom initiated, built, and managed a family business and corporation---comprised of approximately 7 copying service stores in three states.

She and Dad designed and supervised the building of their home here in Goleta.

My Mother enjoyed eating snickers candy bars. She loved animals---especially Panda Bears and Schnauzer puppy dogs. She loves playing bridge. She and Dad used to participate here in Santa Barbara in duplicate Bridge tournaments. Recently Mom was playing bridge on the Internet with people around the world. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to Vegas, Tahoe, Reno to gamble (her favorite were slots machines). However she really enjoyed having family and friends around for visit and a get together.

Mom probably can best be characterized as a hard driving woman. She set high standards and goals. She always strived to accomplish these goals and expected the same from others. She was extremely generous to others---almost to a fault. She would go out of her way to help others in anyway she could. Dottie---my Mom is a very special person.

These last five years were especially difficult for my mother. Trying to recover from a very serious open-heart surgery was very demanding on her. We all are happy she was able to stay with us as long as she did.

Mom –I am almost finished. I want to say that I’m sorry I did not call you as much as you wished. No matter where I was, what I was doing, you were always on my mind. You will always be in my thoughts and heart. Mom –Dad and I love you very much and we’ll miss you dearly.

Everyone here today is pleased that they got to know and meet Dottie. She loved you all and we all will miss her.

Ruth Schneider---a very close friend of my mother---would like next to say a few words.

Thank you Ruth---would anyone else like to say a few words?

My Dad, family, and I thank you so much for being here today and honoring my mother. Thanks you very much.

My son, Trevor, will close with the reading of the 23rd Psalm.

PSALM 23


The Lord is my Shepard: I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake

Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

We will then have a silence prayer while Lee Ann Palmer releases Mom’s balloons. Thanks very much for attending and honoring my mother, Dottie Ault.

After the service, LeeAnn Palmer, LeeAnn's sister Mary, Angelle Malosh, Sandy Stewart, and I celebrated Dottie's life as we think she would have wanted us to: we went to lunch at the Beach House in Isla Vista.

We'll miss you Dottie!