Resident of San Jose Dorothy Joan Pastorini House, born on February 11, 1937, in San Francisco, California, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

She was 88 years old.

Dorothy spent her earliest years attending St. Joan of Arc and All Hallows schools. Her family then moved to Sonora, California, where they opened the restaurant “Pastorini’s Longhorn.” Dorothy continued her education at Columbia Elementary and later graduated from Sonora High School. Summers with her grandparents in Sonoma were among Dorothy’s fondest childhood memories, particularly her time spent with her beloved “Nona,” who nurtured Dorothy’s first language of Italian. Dorothy took great pride in her Italian heritage and her San Francisco roots.

It was at Sonora High where Dorothy first met the love of her life, Stanley House. Their initial encounter was far from amicable—Stanley, an upperclassman, carried Dorothy, a freshman, into the boys’ locker room during a hazing incident. In her senior year, however, their friendship blossomed into a lifelong romance. Both Dorothy and Stanley moved to the Bay Area for college—she briefly attended San Jose State University, while he attended Santa Clara University. The two were married on June 19, 1955.

Early in her marriage, Dorothy held various jobs: she was a Branch Manager’s Secretary at First National Bank, managed an apartment house in Santa Clara, and even typed term papers for Stanley’s fellow students and professors—sometimes with her “firstborn” on her lap. While Stanley pursued his law degree at Santa Clara University, Dorothy was an active member and President of the SCU Law Wives Association. She had four children—three of whom were born while Stanley was still in law school. In 1967, Dorothy and Stanley established their permanent home in Willow Glen. Although Dorothy immersed herself in her children’s lives—joining Mothers’ Guilds and never missing her children’s extracurricular events—she still found time to volunteer at the Thrift Box, benefitting Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford. When her younger brother Dante attended Bellarmine College Prep, Dorothy was active in the Mother’s Guild there and was honored as “Bell of the Year” for her commitment and service.

In 1975, Dorothy was approached by Monsignor Healy at St. Christopher’s Parish to chair the Annual Antique Show, one of the Bay Area’s largest events at the time.

Her leadership made the show so successful that she was asked to chair it again the following year. Once her children were grown, Dorothy served as office manager of her husband’s law firm until retirement.

A warm-hearted friend, devoted mother, and cherished “Grammie,” Dorothy was known for her gourmet cooking—especially her legendary “sugo”—and for her remarkable knack of turning even simple leftovers into a feast. She loved sharing stories, playing Bunco with dear friends, and bringing joy to every gathering in her home.

Her nurturing spirit, lively sense of humor, and infectious laughter will be remembered by all who knew her.

Dorothy and Stanley were married for 70 years and 9 months. “What a journey!”

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Stanley; her children, Barbara, John, Dionna, and Leanne; and her grandchildren, Cole, Madison, and Kevin. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Julia. A celebration of Dorothy’s life will be held on May 3, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Christopher’s Church in San Jose, California. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her name to The American Heart Association, The American Lung Association, or the San Jose Auxiliary/Thrift Box.