Dorothy Thompson Lodge was born on August 22, 1912, and grew up in Fullerton, California. Her parents, Orrin and Margaret Herrick Thompson, had moved to California from Iowa, settling in Fullerton around 1910. Dorothy attended public schools in Fullerton and graduated from Fullerton Union High School before attending Pomona College. She spent her junior year in New York City, attending Barnard College. After graduation from Pomona, Dorothy enrolled at the University of Southern California Law School, where she graduated in 1938. There were eleven women in her law school class, which, at that time, was considered a "bumper crop." A pioneering woman lawyer, she initially worked in her brother Raymond Thompson's law office in Fullerton, and briefly as a public defender. Later, she served as Orange County's first woman deputy district attorney. When Raymond was appointed to the Superior Court, she took over his practice and continued its growth. She served as general counsel and corporate secretary of Pacific Hawaiian Corporation (producers of Hawaiian Punch). She also served on the Board of Directors of Fullerton Savings & Loan Association for over 50 years. Dorothy practiced law in Orange and San Diego Counties for more than 45 years, with her office at home much of the time when her children were young. In 1942 Dorothy married Hilmer Gilbert Lodge, a teacher and coach whom Dorothy met through her sister Helen's husband, Harold Lang. Dorothy and Hilmer lived briefly in Fullerton before moving to Placentia, where they raised their five children. Hilmer was best known as a successful track and field coach and founder of the Mt. San Antonio College Relays. In 1963, they moved to Pala where they were engaged in citrus farming. Dorothy and Hilmer enjoyed many happy years at the Pala ranch before Hilmer passed away in 1977. She continued to be very active following Hilmer's death, and particularly enjoyed visits with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She died peacefully at the Encinitas Retirement Gardens on January 3, 2010, in her 97th year. Dorothy is survived by children, Eric Lodge of Solana Beach, Elizabeth ("Betsy") Bremer of Mililani, Hawaii, Raymond Lodge of Pala, Margaret Louise Lodge of El Cajon, and Rosemary Otto of Spokane, Washington, as well as their spouses, twelve grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Pauma Valley on Saturday, January 16, at 11am. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Home of Guiding Hands, 1825 Gillespie Way, Suite 200, El Cajon, CA 92020, where Dorothy's daughter, Margaret, has resided for many years.
