Dorothy Mary Morgenstern

Dorothy Mary Morgenstern, passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the age of 82. Loving Daughter of the late William “Bill” Victor Morgenstern and the late Dorothy “Dottie” O’Brien Morgenstern. Dear Sister of the late Sheila Morgenstern.

Mary was born in Chicago, IL, on March 25, 1942, and resided there until her career brought her to Southern California in the 1970’s.

Mary graduated University of Chicago High School in 1959 and went on to the University of Chicago where she received her S.B. Degree in Biological Sciences in 1964.  Over the decades, she enjoyed reunions and alumni events tremendously.

Mary began a long career from 1977 - 1998 as a microbiologist and marketing specialist at Beckman Instruments in Fullerton, CA, where analytical devices were manufactured and marketed for biomedical testing. She enjoyed going along on calls with the salesmen and fielding calls from new users on the “Paragon electrophoresis” hotline.  In 1975, she co-authored an academic study that appeared in the Journal of Bacteriology.  Her early career involved laboratory work prior to Beckman Instruments.

Mary loved learning new things and experiencing new places.  She spent her retirement travelling to many countries, often with her mother and sister Shiela. Her involvement with the Sierra Club and a local hiking group gave her great joy where she loved hiking, camping, and forging lifelong friendships.  She routinely enrolled in Adult Education classes and enjoyed participating in OLLI at California State University, Fullerton.  Music, art, theatre and dance were very important to Mary and she spent many years supporting the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa as a season ticket holder. Mary loved animals, in particular, her cats Velvet, Nikki, and Pumpkin and the others, over her long life.

Family and friends are to meet directly at the Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery Office, Tuesday, December 3, 2024 for committal prayers celebrated promptly at 10:30 A.M. for additional info. Call (708) 449-5300. Please sign her guestbook.

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