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Dottie StevensRegistered Nurse and Volunteer Extraordinaire
When Dottie passed away in 2008 at the age of 87, her family started the Dottie Stevens Scholarship to honor her giving spirit, love for humanity and a lifetime of community volunteering. In 1965, while raising 6 children, Dottie was one of the founders of the Scenic General Hospital Women’s Auxiliary (now Stanislaus County Health Services Agency Volunteer Services–HSA). She continued as a hospital volunteer while attending Modesto Junior College to become a registered nurse in 1970 at the age of 50. (She had earned a Sociology and Psychology degree from Whittier College in 1942.)
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Dottie took time off from being a hospital volunteer during the 20 years she worked at Scenic General Hospital as a Medical/Surgical RN and Charge Nurse. The day after she retired in 1990, she once again became an HSA volunteer and continued until the age of 82, when physical limitations prevented her from continuing. When Dottie saw a need, she filled it out of her love for others and with no interest in personal recognition.
Throughout her life, Dottie volunteered with many groups–too numerous to list–often serving in a leadership role. Despite her chosen low profile, her contributions could not go unrecognized:
In 2002, she was named an “Outstanding Woman of Stanislaus County” by the Stanislaus County Commission for Woman, honoring her community service, including 9,500 hours of HSA volunteer work.
Married to her beloved husband, Ken, for 64 years, Dottie was known for her beautiful smile and cheerful disposition. In her own words:
Throughout her life, Dottie volunteered with many groups–too numerous to list–often serving in a leadership role. Despite her chosen low profile, her contributions could not go unrecognized:
- 1972 California State County Employee of the Year
- 1982 Agnes Dix California Nurses Association Award
- 1991 Townsend Opera Players Volunteer of the Year
In 2002, she was named an “Outstanding Woman of Stanislaus County” by the Stanislaus County Commission for Woman, honoring her community service, including 9,500 hours of HSA volunteer work.
Married to her beloved husband, Ken, for 64 years, Dottie was known for her beautiful smile and cheerful disposition. In her own words:
“Life has been filled with the joys of being a wife, parent, and grandparent and having the opportunity to help others in so many ways.”
Dottie’s family knows she is smiling as she continues to help others with this scholarship in her name.
