Dorothy J. Pendergast

Dorothy J. Pendergast (June 24, 1927 – November 23, 2021) Dorothy J. Pendergast, a longtime Vallejo resident and business owner, died Tuesday, November 23, in Woodland. She was 94. Dorothy was born in Vallejo, California. She was both a wife and a business partner with her husband William (Bill) Sr. They opened their first Mobil Gas Station together in 1946. They then owned and operated two Chevron Stations together from 1963 to 1988. In 1978, with their son William Jr. and his wife Denise, they established Pendergast Auto Center which they operated until 2006. Over the years their sons John, Matt, and Dan also spent time working with Dorothy and Bill Sr. at their various business enterprises. Dorothy was a graduate of St. Vincent’s High School in Vallejo. Dorothy met her husband Bill when he was stationed in Vallejo as part of the 211th coast Artillery Regiment that came to Vallejo in 1941 to protect the West Coast from possible invasion during World War II. Dorothy and Bill were married when he returned to Vallejo in 1945 following his combat tour and the Allied victory in Europe. They were married for 53 years prior to Bill’s passing in 1998. Dorothy was a member of St. Basil’s the Great Catholic Church, Holy Family Catholic Church, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks No. 559, the Vallejo Moose Lodge, the S.P.R.S.I. Portuguese Women’s Fraternal Benefit Society, a participant in the UC Davis Life After 90 study, and was an active member of the 211th Club. Dorothy was proud of her history with Vallejo and the fact that her family could trace back their roots in Vallejo to the 1890’s. She grew up on the Lewis Ranch and saw Vallejo grow from a small rural town to a bustling industrial city during World War II and after. Her love of Vallejo was manifest in her keen interest in local politics. She was a loyal watcher of the Vallejo City Council broadcasts and active in many local political campaigns. Dorothy was a longtime advocate and supporter of the Vallejo Little League, North Vallejo Little League, and the Vallejo High School Marching Band and Football team. She is survived by a daughter, Mary Julia Klimenko-Decker (William) of Vallejo; four sons, William J. Pendergast Jr. (Denise) of Woodland, John D. Pendergast of Vallejo, Matthew R. Pendergast (LeeAnn) of Napa, and Daniel F. Pendergast (Maria) of Vallejo; ten grandchildren, (Sharon Terry), Juliana Williams (Arlester), Sarah Raahauge, William Pendergast III (Jennifer), Michael Pendergast (Jennie), Christine Pendergast, Deanna Tiburcio-Realina (Mark), Adam Pendergast (Shanon), Mark Pendergast (Kayla), and Megan Gonzales; twenty-one great-grandchildren, Isabella Terry, Shawn Terry, Nick Terry, Naveena Terry, Logan Williams, Daniel Atalig, Jordan Atalig (Samantha), Lorenzo Sierra, Ireland Ingle, William Pendergast IV, Thomas Pendergast, Nathan Pendergast, Soleil Pendergast, Madeliene Realina, Dempsey Realina, Cheyenne Hoffman, Clayton Pendergast, Carson Pendergast, Colt Pendergast, Ellie Pendergast, Dominico Miglietta; three great-great-grandchildren, Devin Fortner, Jaelynn Atalig, Carter Atalig; sister-in-law Jane Slawson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband, William Pendergast Sr., her brothers David R. Slawson and William E. Slawson, her sister Mary Gonsalves, her daughter in law Lyrio Pendergast, her grandson Robert Acker, and great-grandson Julian Nededog. A viewing will be held Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., with a recitation of the rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, December 3, 2021, at St. Basil’s the Great Catholic Church, Vallejo. Burial follows in All Souls Catholic Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Tim and Jeannie Hamman Foundation, 513 First Street, Benicia, CA 94510. Arrangements entrusted to the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696. www.TwinChapelsMortuary.com.

Dorothy J. Pendergast

June 24, 1927 - November 23, 2021