Dorothy Dell Bates Gillett

Dorothy Dell Bates Gillett was born May 2, 1920, on a farm in rural Iowa to Eland Bates and Myrtle Garner Bates. She passed away peacefully on July 13, 2008, at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, CA.

The second daughter, Dorothy grew up one of eight children on an active farm learning to garden, cook for a large family as well as the harvest crew, preserve and can, help with the farm chores and care for young children.

She had diligently saved her money and lost most of it when the banks closed in 1929, an experience which had a strong influence on her life and later decisions.

Always an active participant in events around her, Dorothy was in 4-H and competed at the county and state levels. She remembered going to school on the bus when it was a horse-drawn wagon; during heavy snow, it was a horse-drawn sled.

She graduated from high school as valedictorian of her class in 1937. She went on to Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, IA, became certified in rural education and taught south of Nevada in Story County for one year and in Boone County for a year where she had 29 children in a one-room school for grades K through eight.

On February 22, 1941, Dorothy married Daun I. Gillett, a farmer also living in central Iowa. They soon became the parents of three very active children while she continued work as a farm wife and enjoyed time with her extended family and many activities with the Napier Methodist Church.

In 1948, the family moved to North Carlsbad, CA, where she and Daun owned and operated a chicken and egg ranch and rabbitry. Dorothy continued to be active in civic affairs and the Carlsbad PTA, where she served as president. They sold the chicken ranch and moved to Fallbrook in 1956.

In Fallbrook, Dorothy started her real estate career, which she continued for more than 25 years. She eventually opened her own office and helped many clients with the purchase or sale of residential, ranch or other commercial properties.

Dorothy also helped organize the De Luz Heights Water District, where she became a board member and, later, chairman.

Throughout her life her main interests and greatest joys were her family and friends. She also enjoyed traveling, gardening, handwork – especially crochet and embroidery – and reading.

Dorothy is survived by son Daun L. Gillett, Spokane Valley, WA; son and daughter-in-law Robert and Barbara Gillett, Los Angeles; daughter and son-in-law Delores and Bill Mellinger, Clatskanie, OR; grandsons Daun Brereton, Post Falls, IA, Robert Brereton and wife Kimberly, Kennewick, WA, and Kip Gillett and wife Alison, Spokane Valley, WA; granddaughter Lynn Gillett, Spokane Valley; seven great-grandchildren; brother Lloyd Bates, DVM, IA; sisters Evelyn Longseth, CO, Ruth Wherry, NV, and Mary Elaine Pecoraro, CA; and many much-loved nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by Daun, her husband of more than 52 years, her parents, brothers Elnathan and Eldon, sister Roine Strother and granddaughter-in-law Deanna Brereton.

A memorial service will be held at Berry-Bell & Hall Mortuary Chapel in Fallbrook on Saturday, July 19, at 11:30 a.m.

Those wishing to do so may make donations to the Friends of the Fallbrook Library, 124 S. Mission Rd., Fallbrook, CA 92028; or Rally for Children, PO Box 2575, Fallbrook, CA 92088.