Veteran centenarian devotes life to service

For The Madera Tribune

Veteran Dorothy Nickerson celebrates her 100th birthday on December 10 in Gold Beach, Oregon.

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Gold Beach resident reflects on participating in U.S. Navy WAVES program in World War II

Veteran Dorothy Nickerson celebrated her 100th birthday on December 10 in Gold Beach, Oregon. This day is a milestone celebration for the centenarian in more ways than one.

Born Dorothy Moseley in Madera, California, she lived with her family in Madera, San Mateo and San Francisco. Determined to finish her high school years in San Mateo, she rode a Greyhound bus from San Francisco to San Mateo 5 days a week. In her senior year at San Mateo High School, she volunteered for the Office of Civilian Defense and was assigned to the numbering and sorting division at Civilian Defense Headquarters. 

Upon high school graduation, Dorothy went to work in a factory making large radio tubes for the government. Eventually, she secured a job at an insurance company for $90 a month.