Dorinda Jo "Dori" (George) Robinson, a retired teacher who touched the lives of hundreds of students in her 35-year career, died peacefully on November 6, 2021. She was 75 years old.

Dori’s life and heart were in San Leandro, where she lived most of her life. She attended school in Oakland and in New Castle, PA, graduated from Bishop O’Dowd High School, and majored in Spanish at the College of the Holy Names. Her teaching career began at the age of 21 in the San Leandro USD, and she quickly found her place as a second- and third-grade teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Her students will remember her expressive smile, cheerful disposition, and theatrical personality.

That “theatrical” personality was literal – Dori was an avid amateur dramatist. From her high school appearance in Flower Drum Song to musical performances with many East Bay companies, she enthusiastically took to the stage. She also enjoyed staying healthy (in her younger days she was a freelance aerobics instructor), dining out with friends and family, summer vacations at Lake Tahoe and, particularly, travelling the world with her beloved husband Dale. They took many cruises together, including the Grand Princess cruise that famously ended with quarantine at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dori is forever reunited with Dale, who died in April 2021. She was the daughter of Frank Louis George and Josephine Marie (Fonzeno) George, both deceased. She leaves behind her son Derek and his children Caleb, Liam and Marina; stepson Greg and his children Max and Alex; stepdaughter  Sharon and her daughter Elena; brother Frank; and many relatives in the extended George and Fonzeno families. They, and all who knew her, will miss her warmth and liveliness, and will take comfort from their sorrow in one of her favorite phrases: “This, too, shall pass.”

At her request there will be no funeral. Instead of flowers, Dori would deeply appreciate gifts made in her memory to her favorite charity, East Bay Children’s Theatre.