Dorothy, 96, passed away on January 7th in Sacramento, CA. She was born March 23, 1919 in King City, CA to John and Mae Ramus. Dorothy was a third generation Californian who grew up on a ranch in the Salinas Valley.

At 17 and during the height of the Great Depression, she left home to earn her way through San Francisco State where she graduated with a teaching credential. In 1947 she met and married the love of her life, John Starks Clemmens. Upon his graduation from Cal Poly as an electrical engineer, the family moved to Whittier. Dorothy and John were happily married until his accidental death in 1965. Dorothy retired from East Whittier City School District in 1979 and moved to Sacramento to join her children. Dorothy was a valued volunteer at Phoebe Hearst Elementary School, the Sacramento Food Bank, the Sacramento Police Department, Mercy Hospital, the Sacramento Life Center, and the RSVP-Blind Society.

She loved children and teaching and would substitute in Sacramento City schools even into her 80s. Active in Sacred Heart and St. Anthony Parishes, she secured a reputation as a respected lector. She was an accomplished seamstress and avid traveler. Dorothy moved to an assisted living facility in 2010. Always fiercely independent, she nevertheless accepted her increasing disability with dignity and grace.

Dorothy is the cherished mother of Darby Williams (Jim) and John Clemmens (Marianne). She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Jimmy Williams (Lori), John Scott Clemmens (Emilie), Julia Bell (Justin), Virginia Fulton (Todd) and Michael "Mac" Alan Clemmens; great-grandchildren Benjamin Lawson and Josey Bell, Audrey and Henry Clemmens, Linnea and Campbell Fulton; and her nieces Betty Anderson and Linda Ramus. She was predeceased by her beloved brother, Albert Ramus. A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, January 22 at 3:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Parish, 660 Florin Rd., Sacramento.

A reception celebrating her life will follow. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the Sacramento Choral Society & Orchestra or the Sacramento Life Center.