Published in the Los Angeles Times on September 5, 2010

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Kiefer, Dorothy Latasa

May 5, 1922 - August 22. 2010

Dorothy Latasa Kiefer was a born and bred Californian, who met each challenge with energy and enthusiasm, who knew no boundaries and who will be missed very much by her family and friends. She passed away Sunday, August 22, 2010 with her husband by her side at the Emeritus San Juan Capistrano. She lived at Monarch Summit, Laguna Niguel, California for the pervious fifty years.

She graduated of Inglewood high School in 1939, followed immediately by attending UCLA, from which she graduated in 1943. Her post graduate work included studies at Pomona College in Claremont, California and Sacramento State College in Sacramento, California.

Dorothy taught Physical Education and Spanish at high schools in Huntington Beach, Riverside and Claremont. She was the Chairman of the Physical Education Department at California Polytechnic Institute in Pomona where she also led a cross campus task force for training student teachers.

Her most cherished professional accomplishments include taking five students to the National Inter-Collegiate Track and Field meet in Cheney, Washington where, despite being a small college, they ranked third in the nation and set an astonishing five new national inter-collegiate track and field records. Dorothy still has many students teaching throughout Southern California.

In retirement she was President of the Republican Women of Laguna Niguel. She volunteered at the South Coast Medical Center Hospital for 21 years where she was also the President of the Auxiliary. Dorothy was also on the Board of Directors of Monarch Summit One.

Her many hobbies included knitting and sewing as much for others as for herself and family. She was an avid tennis player, an enthusiastic gardener and was a passionate world traveler. She and her husband Arthur were UCLA supporters and followed basketball and football closely.

She is survived by her husband, Arthur Kiefer, her son Kenneth, her daughter Kathryn Kiefer Abbey and her son in law Elliot Abbey MD as well as one sister, four grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She was a great admirer of St. Francis, loved nature as he did and lived through his wisdom:

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

- St. Francis of Assisi

A memorial service will be held at noon on September 15th, 2010 at the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano, 31520 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano 92675.