Dorothy McDermott

Dorothy McDermott, 95, died peacefully in her Visalia home on September 3, 2016 surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Oravada, Nevada on August 28, 1921 to Herman and Ellen Loest. She attended Woodbury College on a scholarship from Montgomery Ward and graduated Magna Cum Lade with a Fashion Design and Millenary degree. In Los Angeles she met and married Noel Hutton McDermott in 1941, six days after Pearl Harbor. Noel and Dorothy moved to Visalia in 1947 where they raised six children. “Grandma Golfer” loved playing golf, winning the Visalia Country Club Woman’s Championship three times, and encouraging all of her children and grandchildren to become golfers. Dorothy also enjoyed playing bridge, sewing her children’s clothes, teaching family and friends to sew, and cooking fabulous meals. After raising her children she enjoyed working part-time at the Tulare County Bar Association office. Dorothy is survived by her six children: Shari Pratt, Denni Pearson, Mike McDermott, Bruce McDermott, Christine Fischer, and Brian McDermott, as well as fifteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with all of her family, particularly her themed birthday parties with her children in Cayucos where they dressed up in silly costumes, kayaked, played golf, and cooked together. Dorothy maintained her competitive spirit through her 95th birthday party where she played Mexican Train and Caroon. Her wit and humor was ever present. She was a kind, patient and supportive wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Dorothy is predeceased by her husband, Judge Noel Hutton McDermott, her parents Herman and Ellen Loest, and siblings Betty Pierce and Edward Loest. There will be a celebration of the life of Dorothy McDermott on September 20, 2016 at the Visalia Country Club at 11:00 am. A private internment will take place at a later date in Cayucos, CA where she will join Noel. Arrangements are being made by Salser and Dillard. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com

Dorothy McDermott

August 28, 1921 - September 3, 2016