Dorothy “Dottie” (D’Antonio) Temby
3/20/34 - 5/12/18 Resident of San Jose
Dorothy “Dottie” Mildred (D’Antonio) Temby lived a long, full life. Sadly, she passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on May 12, 2018, surrounded by her family. Born on March 20, 1934 in San Jose, she was the daughter of the late Giuseppe and Maria D’Antonio, immigrants from Tricarico, Italy who arrived in the early 1900s. Her father and godfather started the Tricarico Club on the day Dottie was born, and club members, descendants of the first members, still meet today. She grew up in a modest Meridian Ave. home at a time when picking apricots and playing in irrigation ditches were commonplace for the family of 6 children. Dottie loved school and graduated from Santa Clara High in ‘52. She married Bill Moore and had two children, Debbie and Billy. Their marriage sadly ended when Bill died tragically at the age of 21. Years later, Dottie married Pete Temby. Michael was born and they raised their family in West San Jose. Dottie enjoyed family water skiing and tennis, but most of all, loved watching her children in their athletic and musical endeavors. Friends and family were always welcome at the Temby house and music and singing filled the air, a passion Dottie passed on to her family.
When Pete and Dottie divorced after 17 years of marriage, the event catapulted Dottie into a new journey that changed her life and the lives of hundreds of people. She returned to school and graduated from SJSU in ‘77 with a Psychology degree, then earned a degree in Marriage and Family Behavioral Studies from SCU, and became a driving force in the mental health field. Dottie worked with the Honorable Jeremy Fogel who founded the Mental Health Advocacy Project, providing legal services for schizophrenics and street bound individuals at that time. She was one of the first Patients’ Rights Advocate in the County of Santa Clara and spent hours in “lock-down” facilities fighting for the less fortunate.
Dottie went on to start her own practice and worked with abused children and the children of alcoholics, publishing many articles on drug abuse. For over 40 years she helped establish policies and programs regarding alcoholism and drug addiction in hospitals throughout Santa Clara County. Dottie also developed an Anger Mgmt. program at Kaiser Hospital and worked with employees to help improve their lives and those of their families.
“Dot” was an extraordinary woman who left her mark on the world. Courageous, funny, compassionate, empathetic, admirable, and radiant is just a small list of words to describe her. Dottie was strong, intelligent, determined, and she loved fiercely. That love was evident to her grandchildren and great grandchildren who will cherish the many activities and experiences she created for them. Missed will be trips to the movies, rock painting, dinners out, homemade pasta, magic shows, singing and laughter, not to mention always being available to talk when she was needed.
Dottie will be lovingly missed by her children Debbie Weissman (Jeff), Billy Moore (Sandra), Michael Temby (Kellie), grandchildren Megan (Donny), Deanna (Edgar), Sean, Mallorie (Lance), Blake, Maddison, McKenzie, Randy, Dylan and Alyssa, great-grandchildren Kade, Macie, Maliya, Leighton and Kenleigh, youngest sister Anna, and her numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 22nd at Lima Family Santa Clara Mortuary. A buffet luncheon will follow at Mariani’s. Should friends or family desire, memorial contributions may be made to Lymphoma Research Foundation at www.lymphoma.org.