Dorotha Todd Ellis, a longtime Glendora and Claremont resident, died on May 23, 2016. She was 90.

She was born in Prairie Home, Missouri on April 23, 1926 to James Arthur Odil and Florence Boehm Odil. She had seven brothers and sisters: James, Leola, Ruth, Clara, Emmet, Harry and William. Dorotha married William Todd in 1945 in Boonville, Missouri and had two daughters born in Boonville, Stephanie in 1946 and Penni-Lu in 1947.

The family moved to California in 1949 and they added a son, Timothy, born in 1950. They settled in Claremont, where the children attended elementary school, El Roble Intermediate School and Claremont High School. No matter where any of them have ever gone, Claremont has always been home.

After a divorce at age 40, she worked in a doctor’s office—her very first job ever—then at JC Penney in the personnel department and finally at Golden State San Wa Bank, retiring in 1991 as vice president in charge of personnel. She found love again and married Fred Ellis in 1997, but sadly he died in 1999. In her retirement, she enjoyed sewing, decorating, socializing with her girlfriends and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Ms. Ellis leaves a legacy not only through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren but through the values she modeled. The included the importance of friendships (especially girlfriends!) and the satisfaction of being productive and creative, especially in needle arts. These values are appreciated and carried on by her daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters.

Dorotha’s daughter, Stephanie Todd Newlon, preceded her in death by one week. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Penni-Lu Todd Hansen and Ken Hansen; her son and daughter-in-law, Timothy and Georgie Todd; her son-in-law, Brintnel Robbins Newlon IV; her grandson, Brintnel Robbins Newlon V; her granddaughter, Ashley Newlon-Trujllo, her husband David and their children Hannah and David; her granddaughter Allison Newlon Burton and her sons Cameron and Jake; her grandson Timothy Todd Foley, his daughter Emma and his fiancé Kristen Forsythe; and by her granddaughter Jennifer Todd Cash, her husband Robert and their children Lila and Miles.