Dorothy Maye Smith Piedimonte was born on August 26, 1928 in Hammond, Indiana. She grew up with a sister, Carolyn (Edwards) and a brother, Bobby, who lost his life to whooping cough at the age of two. Her extended family, “the Smith side” were loving and affectionate. She grew up during “The Great Depression” but her family was able to sustain a good life and even help relatives. Giving and sacrifices were part of the family tradition.

She attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa (now a university) which enjoyed a large expansion after the war with many GIs returning from war. She was only 18 when she met the dashing man who was to be her husband. It turns out that Michael Edward (Ed) Piedimonte was one of 4 Italian brothers, all veterans. She left the Graceland Nursing School to marry Ed and move to California so Ed could attend the University of Southern California (USC).

Once they started having children, there were five! 4 were girls with one long awaited son. Life became crazy and they were often hosting friends and family that came to see Hollywood and Disneyland. There was never a dull moment.

In 1972 until 1979 they lived on and off in Iran so Ed could work for an aircraft corporation.  What an exciting time to explore, learn and experience life outside of the United States. She even had someone to clean her house and an occasional driver. Dorothy was an amazing sales person and even owned her own insurance agency before her retirement.

Dorothy (Dottie as her friends called her) was an active member of the Community of Christ and loved to sing in the choir, teach children’s classes and Bible Schools. She was friendly and outgoing and usually the last one out of the building. She toted 5 kids to church for many years and it was rare to miss a Sunday.  

Dottie loved beautiful clothes and always dressed well with her hair and makeup always done. She was known to “cut-a-rug” and she continued that even after Ed was gone. Being a missionary’s daughter, you never heard her use foul language, drink or smoke. Her kid’s friends loved her too and she often had the neighborhood at her house. There were fun times!

Alzheimer’s Disease robbed her of so many of the memories of raising 5 children, travels, friends and relatives but she always remembered love and loved others to the end. She may have escaped the worst part of the disease because her face always lit up when her “kids” came to visit. She was loved by the staff at her residence as well and they found that her sense of humor remained. She always laughed when she heard how old she and her children were (being stuck in the years past where everyone was young) like it was a joke. 

The end came mercifully just after she turned 92 and rather than grief, she would encourage you to think of the celebration she had when she arrived at her final destination to be with her Ed and her heavenly family again. There was music, dancing and everyone that loved her and left were there. Her faith and compassion will live on in the lives of those who loved her.

Memorials preferred to the Alzheimer's Association in her name.