DOROTHY KEATING Obituary

DOROTHY MAE

KEATING

June 22, 1931 – June 26, 2025

Dorothy Mae (Hatch) Keating was born on June 22, 1931, in El Centro, the fifth of five children. She was a precocious child and excellent student, graduating valedictorian of her class at Central Union High School in 1948. She attended Pomona College, graduating summa cum laude in 1952, majoring in music. She then attended Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Once again, top of her class. A gifted, and now classically trained, vocalist, she was then off to Milan, Italy to sing and travel with the opera. After two years abroad, Dorothy returned to the US - this time New York City - where she performed on stage in countless operas and musicals. She then moved to San Diego, obtained her teaching credential, began to teach music at California Western University, where she met her future husband, Jerry. In 1964, Dorothy and her family moved to El Centro, where she taught music, at every grade level, for the next 60 years.

Dorothy was an active participant in her community and a member of multiple organizations. She also served as choir director of the First United Methodist Church in El Centro for almost 40 years, was director of the Sweet Adeline's women's choral group for over a decade, a music professor at IVC for many years, musical director for the El Centro Elementary School District for over 20 years, all the while giving private, one-on-one vocal lessons in her home. She brought joy and the love of music to generations here in the Imperial Valley and will be missed by all who knew her. Dorothy will be remembered as an avid and gifted bridge player who was always up for a game. She also loved to read and enjoyed a good jigsaw puzzle.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Jerry. She is survived by her three children, William, Curtis and Irene, and granddaughter, Cameron.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 1, 2025, at 10 a.m., at the Methodist Church in El Centro, as well as an interment service at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. All are invited to attend one or both services.