In Memoriam: Dorothy Masinter

DOROTHY MASINTER
Sept. 3, 1939 – Oct. 27, 2019
Photo by Donna Ritchie

It is with great sadness that the family of Dorothy Masinter, 80, announces her unforeseen passing, surrounded by loving family and friends, on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, at Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar, California.

Dorothy (aka Boots, Dot, Dottie, Dotsy and Dee) was born on Sept. 3, 1939, in Orange, New Jersey, to her late mother and father, Catherine Ryan and Walter Burfield.

Dorothy was raised by her mother, who passed when she was 14 years old. Thereafter, she was raised by her maternal grandmother, Catherine Ryan, and a host of devoted aunts and uncles. Dorothy’s childhood was family-oriented and rich with large family dinner gatherings on Sundays and holidays that were influenced by her Irish upbringing. She enjoyed church, playing in the snow, sleigh riding, ice skating, hiking, the local ice-cream parlor and spending time with her friends.

At 20, Dorothy married James Creeden and had two children, Catherine and Gregory. In 1971, the family moved to California, where at the age of 35, Dorothy became a licensed realtor and began a very successful career in real estate. Although her marriage to James Creeden ended in divorce, Dorothy continued to call California her home. Many years later, she would often state that remaining in California was one of the best decisions she ever made.

In 1976, Dorothy married Richard Masinter, who at the time was her real estate office manager, and became a stepmother to Debbie Cattaneo, Sheryl Eytchison and Glen Eytchison. Together, Richard and Dorothy continued to enjoy their careers in the real estate industry. Dorothy became a licensed real estate broker, opened her own real estate offices and taught real estate during the evenings. Together, they bought into a real estate franchise, purchased and sold real estate, acquired rental real estate and became investors. Dorothy had found her niche and loved everything real estate!

During their 36-year marriage, Richard and Dorothy enjoyed traveling and time spent with family and friends. In 2012, Richard lost his battle with lung cancer.

The following year, Dorothy moved from their family home in Upland to Canyon Lake to be closer to her daughter and to begin yet another life chapter.

In 2014, Dorothy was diagnosed with lung cancer and, because of early diagnosis, survived a successful surgery to remove the cancer. She adjusted well to life in Canyon Lake, made wonderful friendships and enjoyed travel and many social gatherings.

Dorothy was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend who was known and loved by many. She enjoyed countless meaningful relationships in her life and gave so much of herself to family, friends and others. She was highly energetic, loyal and fierce!

Dorothy was beautiful, loving and kind. She always enjoyed travel and spending social time with family and wonderful friends. Until her passing, Dorothy remained young at heart, full of life, happy, adventurous and fun.

Dorothy is proceeded in death by her parents, her in-laws and both her first and second husbands. She is survived by her children, Catherine Creeden of Canyon Lake and Gregory Creeden and his wife Rhonda of Auburn, California; her stepchildren, Debbie Cattaneo and her husband Frank of Portola, California; Sheryl Eytchison-Goodman and her husband Joel of Vista, California; Glen Eytchison of Arizona; her grandsons, Sean Burns and Camron Creeden; and step-grandchildren, Alexander Quincy Goodman and Sarah Dunn.

Please join us in celebrating the life of Dorothy Masinter on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, at 3 p.m. at the Canyon Lake Country Club, located at 32001 Railroad Canyon Rd., Canyon Lake, California 92587.

Please dress colorfully and arrive with a joyful heart and ready to celebrate Dorothy’s life with food, drink and music, surrounded by those who loved her.RSVP by text to Catherine at 909-310-1647 to assist with food/drink planning.