Dorothy Mae Harchalk

Dorothy Mae Harchalk joined her Heavenly Father and his angels on Wednesday, March 28, 2012. Affectionately known as "Dotttie", Dorothy was born on August 12, 1921 in Santa Maria, California to Lena and Joseph Faria. Following the death of her mother when Dottie was four years old, she was raised by her grandparents who were farmers in the Santa Maria Valley. Dottie moved to Santa Barbara in 1940 where she attended the Santa Barbara Business College and the Santa Barbara Beauty College and bought her first house at 19 years old. She was a shrewd businesswoman and a tireless worker. During the eighteen years that she owned and operated Dottie's Beauty Shop, she never took any personal time off. As an early reflection of her generous nature, each Monday she provided complimentary services at her beauty shop to the poor and the elderly. She was an astute investor in local real estate, beginning in the 1950s with the purchase of seven rental properties on Haley Street and the L-Rancho Motel on Montecito Street. In 1960 Dottie and her aunt Clara Downie built the 30-unit Tropicana Motel on Castillo Street which she successfully operated for the next thirteen years. During this time Dottie lived in the penthouse apartment at the motel and welcomed exciting visitors from all parts of the United States and abroad, many of whom became close friends. Often her Christmas dinner table included twenty-five or more winter guests. It was at the hotel that Dottie developed her love for Bridge, modestly beginning with six tables of motel guests. She fondly reminisced about her all-night bridge parties, followed by brunch in the morning, and then she was "off to work". Dottie continued to excel at bridge throughout the rest of her life, winning two Santa Barbara Women's Club Marathon Bridge Tournaments. In 1971 Dottie met George Harchalk, the dashing Air Force colonel who was to become the love of her life. They shared a remarkable love story, and their infinite devotion to one another was apparent. For more than thirty years they made their home at their Garden Street apartments, where they welcomed many tenants who would ultimately become life-long friends. When George predeceased Dottie in 2010, a part of her special radiance dimmed with his passing. Dottie was a devout Catholic who lived a life of faithful service and abundant generosity to others. She leaves a legacy of loving kindness and infinite thoughtfulness to the many fortunate people whose lives she touched.

Dorothy Mae Harchalk

August 12, 1921 - March 28, 2012