Dorothy Marie (Douglas) Alvarez

    Dorothy Marie Alvarez, 95, of Stevensville, died peacefully Monday, November 13, 2023.

    Her life began August 15, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest of two daughters born to Herbert and Josephine Douglas. She married Ronald Albert Alvarez April 26,1948 in Crown Point, Indiana.  After sixty-three years of marriage, he preceded her in death May 2, 2011.   

    Dorothea from the Greek means, “Gift from God”, in Northern Africa means, “Loving mother and friend” and in Hebrew means “the grace of the beloved God”. Her first name, Dorothy, describes her very well; a loving mother and friend who truly was a graceful gift of God. Since she was born on the Feast of the Assumption, her middle name, Marie, speaks of how in her daily actions she brought others to Jesus. Dorothy was a woman who didn’t just sit around talking about Jesus, but was a woman of action who lived Jesus.

    Her secretarial and administrative skills were obvious as a mother who loved her children and husband, as well as her own volunteerism in parish and community. Dorothy, in her kindness and motherly love was an accomplished accordion player; a long-standing singer in the parish choir; an assistant den mother of cub scouts and a seamstress sitting at her sewing machine making new clothes for her sons.  She enjoyed taking her sons, nieces and nephews to roller skate on Saturdays.  Dorothy wrote over one hundred poems to thank and cheer people up for different occasions often as gifts. She took black and white portraits and oil paintings, turning them into beautiful colored pieces of art.

    Dorothy was also an accomplished AKC boxer dog breeder and dog show handler who raised the puppies in her home.  She was an early and lifelong member and secretary of the mid-West Boxer Club. She served as the Ways and Means Chairperson, for 25 years and for the 50th Anniversary of the club, she developed the official club logo which is still used today. She was extremely creative and handmade many crafts sold at the dog shows supporting the club. She wrote a monthly article for the club’s newsletter. Her boxer dog poems are classic.

    She not only enjoyed boxer dogs, she also raised tropical fish, specifically the Betta. Suppling most of the Chicagoland pet stores and with her own mastery, she was able to develop several strains of pure green, blue and red bettas.  Her work was cited in a scientific journal by a doctoral candidate in genealogy. Dorothy was the first woman president of the Southwest Aquarius Club in Chicago and had her tropical fish displayed in the Shedd Aquarium.

    In everything Dorothy did, she remained humble and in service to others with great love. Dorothy insisted and wanted the following people thanked for their caregiving: from CrownPointe of Stevensville, Brandy, Alyssa, Linda, Renee, Alex, Destiny, Jazmine, Shaya, Scott, Denise, Eilene, Dinecha, Kyra, Jamaya, Sharonday, Devona, Janae, and Shiniero; and from Elara Caring Hospice, Garret, Jenny, Alexis, Brook, Debra, and Beth.

   Dorothy will be greatly missed by family and friends.  She is survived by her one son, Curtiss Alvarez of Three Oaks; daughter-in-law Sheri (wife to Stanton) Alvarez; grandson, Garth (Amy) Alvarez; great granddaughters, Cayla, Jori (Dominic); great-great granddaughter Marcie; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

   In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson, Brian Alvarez two sons, Stanton Alvarez, Michael Alvarez; and one sister, Anita.

   Family and friends will gather Tuesday, November 21, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 28 Ash Street West, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128.

   Dorothy will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Three Oaks.

   The family prefers contributions in memory of Dorothy be made to either:  Elara Caring Hospice, 4664 Campus Drive Suite 101A-B, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008, or CrownPointe of Stevensville, 4232 Red Arrow Highway, Stevensville, Michigan 49127, or St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 28 Ash Street West, Three Oaks, Michigan 49128.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares

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