Dottie McCoey

Dorothy Anne “Dottie” McCoey, age 82, of Winters, passed away on October 10, 2024 in Vacaville from advanced Alzheimer’s. Dottie was born on March 9, 1942, in Woodland, California. She was the daughter of James J. and Mary Loretta McCoey and the sister of John McCoey, Mary Liz Graf, and James D. McCoey (Janet Martin McCoey). Dottie is survived by her daughter Dawn Barrera, son-in-law Aurelio “Willie” Barrera, grandsons Mateo and Joel, granddaughter Miah and great-grandson Dallas Bermudez. She is also survived by nephews Bob Graf (Joanna), Dick Graf (Annette), Scott Graf (Michele) and nieces Heather Bender (Brian), Megan Purdy (Allen) and Alison Boaz (Jason), as well as many great and great-great nieces and nephews. 

Dottie's daughter, Dawn and Dawn’s family, were her passion, and she devoted herself to being the best mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she could be. Her family is so grateful to have so many wonderful memories of their time with her.

Dottie worked for many years at Shield’s Library at UC Davis. She also worked at Lester Farms Bakery, Mariani Nut Company for DFA and Dean’s Frostie back in the day. Dottie is remembered for being an avid walker. She would walk miles around Winters and enjoyed the many visits she had with people she would see on her walks. Dottie’s favorite place to spend time after her retirement was at the Town House Salon owned by her best friend since her childhood, Herman Lopez. Herman and Dottie were inseparable until Herman’s death. They were the true definition of best friends. Dottie missed Herman terribly after he passed.

Faith and church were very important to Dottie. She was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Parish in Winters where she happily volunteered many hours in many capacities. 

Dottie was a very strong-willed woman and extremely independent. Unfortunately, that would all come to an end when she was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia. Eventually Dottie could no longer live on her own. She spent her final days living at the Vacaville Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center. Her family is extremely grateful for the incredibly loving care that Dottie received by all the staff there. The smile on her face demonstrated how much Dottie loved living at VCRC and the care she received. Prior to moving to VCRC Dottie enjoyed the loving care she received from her adoring caregiver and friend, Lindsay Harris while living at the Winters Senior Apartments where she had many wonderful friends and made special memories.

Services for Dottie will be held at St. Anthony Parish at 511 Main St. in Winters on Friday, October 18, 2024. There will be a viewing at 10:00am, a rosary at 11:00am and a Funeral Mass at 12:00pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at St. Anthony Parish Hall. All are invited to come remember Dottie. In honor of the Alzheimer’s Association, it is requested that those attending wear purple.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the St. Anthony Altar Society 511 Main St. Winters, CA 95694, the Winters FFA 101 Grant Avenue, Winters, CA 95694 or NorthBay Hospice 4500 Business Center Dr. Fairfield, CA 94534 or www.northbay.org/foundation/donate/index.html.