Mary Dom, a mover and a shaker
It was a lucky day for Tehachapi when in 1972 Cecile and Mary Dom decided to settle here with their five children. Mary said they chose Tehachapi because they wanted their two younger children to go to high school in a smaller community than Lancaster, where they previously lived.
Asked what she loves about Tehachapi, Mary emphasized making friends and fellowship. “It was easy to meet people when I first came here. Everyone was so friendly,” she said. She also loves the four seasons and says they remind her of Kansas, where she was born and raised.
As a young woman in Kansas, Mary went on a blind date with Cecile Dom. It was love at first sight. They soon married and began a life together. Cecile secured a job with NASA and they moved to California. Mary and Cecile were married 67 years. Cecile passed four years ago but Mary has continued on with the legacy they started in their youth.
Mary Ellen Ross, a good friend of Mary’s, said, “Some people think that when we’re older we need to rest on our laurels. Mary Dom isn’t like that. She gets out there and gets the job done.”
Asked about Mary, Linnell Thompson said, “I am very fortunate to be a friend of Mary’s. I met her at the senior center. She is a wonderful, strong lady and gives the best hugs in the world. From the beginning to the end Mary is someone to remember. She has served the poor and needy for so long.”
In 1975, Mary started the hospital guild. The intent was to raise money for our local hospital. The guild had 13 members at the time and Tehachapi didn’t have a thrift shop.
Mary said, “People got interested and the first month we made $125. That was a lot of money back then.” The guild thrift store is still in existence.
Guild President Randee McKenna said, “Since the ‘70s the thrift store has given $3 to $4 million dollars to the hospital. Those nickels and dimes add up.”
At the last board meeting, Mary Dom was made an honorary member. She is well deserving of the honor. Mary is an outstanding person who is always interested in the community and the people in it. Her legacy continues through that effort.
Mary and Cecile have five children, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. In the early years of their marriage, Mary was a homemaker but as the children grew, Cecile told her she would have to go back to work to help with college funds. All five of their children, George, Mary Jane, Lorraine, Susan and Catherine, are college graduates.
Mary worked as a school district assistant librarian and then at Farmers Insurance. The family loved the local festivals and parades. Every summer they went to Mammoth, camped and visited the national parks. When Cecile retired from NASA, the couple volunteered as hosts at the campground for the National Park Service.
The senior center in Tehachapi is another important project to Mary. She has been a member since she first moved here. Improving and enhancing the quality of life for seniors in Tehachapi means a lot to Mary. She explained that the exercise classes help keep her limber and healthy, there are social activities and recreation programs that provide socialization and the center provides a safe and secure place for seniors to gather. Mary has been very concerned about the center’s financial difficulties and is working hard to spread the
word that they need help to make sure they have the funds to stay open.
Mary’s advice to others is: “When you do a job, show up on time and do your best, in fact, do your best in all of your life. DON’T EVER GIVE UP!”
Tehachapi is so grateful to you,
Mary, that you never give up! We salute you Mary Dom.
Judith Campanaro is an expressive arts consultant/educator and the author of “The Wisdom Keepers: Tehachapi Women of Substance,” sold at Tehachapi Treasure Trove.