Dorothy Brambo Green

Dorothy Brambo Green, 91, of Simi Valley, CA, died November 2023

Dorothy was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 29, 1932, to Gerda and Arne Brambo. She had a very happy childhood in Brooklyn and Hauge I Dalene, Norway where she grew up with her beloved older sister, Margaret. Unfortunately, her older brother (Konrad) died from Scarlet Fever before Dorothy was born.

Dorothy’s sister Margaret married Morten Johannesen when Dorothy was in her teens and the whole large Johannesen clan became a large and integral part of Dorothy’s life.

Dorothy became an Executive Secretary and worked for Texaco in the Chrysler Building in Manhattan. During this time, at the urging of friends, she decided to brush up on her Norwegian. It was in this class that she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Green who had decided he would learn Norwegian. Dorothy and Bob married in Brooklyn, NY on May 24, 1953. They had three daughters: Elizabeth, Barbara, and Joyce.

They lived in Brooklyn until 1962 when they moved to Westchester County to live in a rambling old house on 2 ½ acres. This was ideal for Bob but less so for Dorothy. It was a big change from apartments in Brooklyn to a very large house, lots of pets and lots of produce from the garden and bushels of peaches! She tackled it all with her usual energy and determination. During this time as Bob traveled internationally for his job, Dorothy occasionally traveled with him but more often, was holding down the fort at home.

The family relocated to Beaumont, Texas for two years due to Bob’s work at Mobile in the mid-sixties but very eagerly returned to the same NY house during summers and after the 2-year work assignment.

In 1975 the family moved to Phoenixville, PA where Dorothy made many new friends. Dorothy really loved living in PA in a more modern house where the girls could have horses.

The end of 1980 was a time for big changes. Bob accepted a job in Los Angeles. Another move, this time to the west coast. This move was a little more difficult for Dorothy as all the girls had flown the nest. Dorothy ended up loving Simi Valley. As usual, Dorothy’s spirit and zest for life reignited as she began to create a new life in Simi Valley, CA including employment at California Lutheran University. She and Bob joined New in Town, Sons of Norway and Trinity Lutheran Church making many deep and meaningful friendships. Dorothy played bridge, dominos, and bunco. She was quite the competitor and watch out if you broke the rules! Dorothy loved theater, especially musicals, and loved dancing and socializing.

She was active in Sons of Norway and took on leadership roles in many of the organizations that she joined. Sons of Norway was dear to her heart as it connected her to her treasured Norwegian heritage. Dorothy took many trips to Norway and hosted many Norwegian relatives over the years.

Dorothy and Bob traveled the US and the world together, during their 49 years of marriage. After Bob’s passing, Dorothy continued traveling around the world with family and friends. Some of her favorite destinations besides Norway were Egypt, Israel, Greece, Spain, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and China. Her favorite mode of travel was cruising. Many happy memories were made on cruise ships!

Dorothy was a devoted and loving mother to her daughters. She always supported and loved them unconditionally. She leaves behind daughters: Joyce Green, Simi Valley, CA, Barbara Searock (Steve), Sharpsburg, GA, and Liz Garfinkel (Mike), Eugene, OR. Grandchildren: Stephen Searock III(GA), Tyler Searock (CA), Jenna Addison(Zeke) (GA), Sara Garfinkel (OR) and David Garfinkel(Jordyn) (TN), Great grandsons: Kelso and Ledger Addison (GA), Nephews: Steven (the late Rose) Johannesen (NY), Robert (Marianne) Johannesen (NY), and David (Jane) Johannesen (NY).

She was fortunate to have many loyal and faithful friends, especially Viv and Carolyn. For many years with family spread far and wide, the Janke/Nadin family embraced Dorothy as an extension of their own family.

Dorothy was delighted to participate in celebrating the marriage of her granddaughter, Jenna to Zeke Addison in September 2018. She was even more thrilled with the birth of her two great grandsons, Kelso and Ledger. And very recently Dorothy was excited to officially welcome Jordyn Bidwell into the family as grandson David’s wife in November 2023.

She was predeceased by her parents, Arne and Gerda Brambo, husband, Robert Green, sister, Margaret Johannesen, and brother Konrad Brambo.

The memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Simi Valley, California on December 3, 2023, at 2 p.m. Her remains will be buried next to her sister in Greenville, NY in the spring of 2024. In memory of Dorothy, donations can be made to Sarah’s House Maternity Home, P.O. Box 941768 Simi Valley, CA 93094 (sarahshousesimi.org) or Samaritan Center Food Bank, 280 Royal Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93065 in lieu of flowers.