Dorothy D. Escalante

Dorothy Duran Escalante was born in Roswell on December 10, 1934 and entered eternal life on June 15, 2020, with her family by her side. She was the eldest of eight children, and while living in Southern California for some of her life, Dorothy always called Roswell home. She attended local schools and graduated from Roswell High. Dorothy married Joe S. Albarez on February 1, 1952, and they raised their four daughters on the Albarez family farm six miles east of town. Dorothy and Joe worked hard on the farm growing crops and raising livestock. Baseball games, Easter egg hunts, and many other holidays were spent on the farm. With their parents' help, the girls even raised their own lambs. They moved into Roswell in 1961 where Dorothy refreshed her skills and became a secretary in 1966. She and Joe Albarez divorced in 1970. On May 22, 1971, Dorothy married Henry Bramall, and with her daughters, she moved to Santa Fe for one year and then on to Anaheim, CA. She reunited with her family in Wilmington, CA, and spent many joyful times camping, playing card games, and celebrating holidays together. In 1976, she and Henry Bramall divorced. On February 11, 1978, Dorothy married Miguel Escalante. They resided in Santa Ana, CA, and then retired to Roswell in 1979. Dorothy became active in civic affairs and served as president of the St. Mary's Auxiliary from 1986 to 1987. The Extension was an outlet for her creativity in crafts and her appetizing baked goods. She always looked forward to the "Secret Santa" gifting at Christmas. She delighted in fishing trips with Miguel, her sister Mary Frances, and brother-in-law Macedonio Escalante. The four lived on the same property for many years, traveled extensively, cut down Christmas trees in the forest, and shared many other entertaining activities. Dorothy was a lifelong Yankees baseball fan. She was thrilled to see them play live at Yankee Stadium, at Angel Stadium, and at spring training in Florida. Her favorite players were Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. She will be remembered fondly for her delicious cooking, and her tamales were simply the best. They were always a hit at the holidays. She was an expert jitter-bugger and loved to dance and listen to all kinds of music. She especially enjoyed Ray Charles, Andy Williams, and Mexican ballads. She was a kind, generous, tender woman with a heart of gold. Dorothy is survived by her husband of 42 years, Miguel Escalante, daughters JoAnne Federico (Michael), Angela Albarez, Alice Albarez-Draeger (Don); siblings Magil Duran (Willadine), Richard Duran (Roxanne), Emma Duran Burt (Art), Victoria Duran Baca (Ray), granddaughter Cori Gonzales (Desmond), great-grandchildren Desmond, II, Aubrey Gonzales, and brother-in-law Macedonio Escalante. She is preceded in death by her parents Manuel and Martha Duran, daughter Patricia Albarez Douglas, grandson Jeremiah Bell; siblings Susanna Barragan, Mary Frances Escalante, and Manuel J. Duran, Jr. She was greatly loved, always to remain in our hearts and our memories, and will be forever missed. God blessed her mightily on earth, and she is once again with her loved ones in heaven. The family would like to thank her compassionate caregivers Eva, Margie, and Takiesha. Cremation services will be in the care of Anderson Bethany Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be held at Waymaker Church on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. Protective masks and social-distancing are requested for the safety of those in attendance. Please take a moment and share your thoughts and memories with Dorothy's family at www.anderson-bethany.com.

Dorothy D. Escalante

December 10, 1934 - June 15, 2020