Dora Mae Demorest King Rotondo passed away at the age of 100 on Nov. 6, 2025, in Rapid City, S.D.
Dora was born on April 9, 1925, in Tacoma, Wash., to Howard and Mabel Demorest.
She lived in Tacoma until she and her first husband, Curtis, relocated to Mariposa to raise their two teenage sons. After the untimely death of Curtis, Dora remarried John Rotondo and together had a daughter Gina.
Dora lived in Mariposa for over 40 years and was very active in the Rebekahs and other local life. She later moved to Fresno where she spent the next 20 years helping raise her grandchildren and playing an active role in her condominium community.
She was a beloved neighbor to many and always had fresh baked treats for her family and visitors. Dora later moved to South Dakota to be near her son’s family where she was surrounded by her spunky great-grandchildren.
She enjoyed gardening and craft work, and was a prolific seamstress.
Dora was known for her cooking and baking. Her lemon cake, peanut butter cookies and chicken and dumpling recipes are kept alive by her family. Her grandchildren were treated to trips around the country and they remember these adventures with grandma fondly.
Dora is survived by her son, Gary, of South Dakota and daughter, Gina, who resides in Auberry, Calif.
She leaves behind six grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grand daughter. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Curtis; her second husband, John; her son, Norman; and her three brothers, Raymond, Howard and Kenneth.
A graveside service will be held on Dec. 6, 2025, at 3 p.m. at the Mariposa Cemetery in the Odd Fellows section.
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