Obituary of Dorothy Ann Carpenter

Dorothy Ann (Tworek) Carpenter of Carmichael, California, left this earth at the age of 73 with her family by her side in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to join her husband, Jim, on November 8, 2016. Dorothy was born on February 27, 1943 in Radisson, Wisconsin to Mary (Kosiba) and Leo Tworek. She had a sister, Connie (Verlen), and two brothers, Edwin and Bernard. From early on, Dorothy stood out as a motivator; believing the good in all people. Everyone who met her left their encounter feeling special and energized brought about by her astonishingly instinctive ability to find the magic in everyone. Dorothy had many pleasures in life; perhaps the greatest of all, outside of her family, was music. She used her endless energy to bring joy through music and ministry. She often chose to teach through silence and movement rather than noise; an incredible feat when leading a school full of children through an afternoon of singing and music. For over fifty years, she worked as a music teacher, church liturgist, musician and choir director, using her talents to promote the healing powers of music. Dorothy had a delightfully wry sense of humor, loved fast cars and open roads. She even secretly dreamed of being a truck driver with a big loud air horn. Watching "Golden Girls" for the fun "quips" the girls had, she would memorize them in case an opportunity ever came up to use one. She often identified with the character Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz; dressing up as Dorothy on occasion and even had personalized license plates "OZ <3 TOTO" and "OZ TWO". Similarly distinctive, she never ended a visit or conversation with "goodbye", instead just saying "to be continued…."She was married to her soulmate, James LeRoy Carpenter, for forty years. "Jim" was her best friend and partner in an amazing journey on this earth. They had one daughter together, Lana. Dorothy treasured her special relationship with her daughter and was thrilled when Lana married Billy Ray, whom Dorothy lovingly referred to as her "son-in-love." The family continued to grow as they too welcomed a baby girl, Randi, into their life. If you worked with Dorothy, you might remember she loved to surprise people by leaving ladybugs on a piano or desk. It's no wonder she called her precious granddaughter her "luv bug." Dorothy is survived by Lana and Billy Ray; her luv-bug, Randi of Colorado Springs, Colorado; as well as her brother, Bernard of Hayward, Wisconsin. Her death was preceded by her husband of forty years, Jim; brother, Edwin; and sister, Connie.A Memorial Service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00PM, Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 5057 Cottage Way, Carmichael, California. A reception will follow immediately after.In lieu of flowers, donations to Dorothy's favorite 24/7 music venue, Capital Public Radio, would be greatly appreciated. Monetary donations in her memory can be made at www.capradio.org or by mail to: Capital Public Radio, 7055 Folsom Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95826.Funeral Home:The Springs Funeral Services3115 East Platte AvenueColorado Springs, , COUS 80909