West Lebanon, N.H. —
Dory was born in Minneapolis, Minn., on Oct. 15, 1923, the youngest child of Swedish immigrants John and Elizabeth Erickson. She was a first-generation American and a SPAR veteran of World War II. The Great Depression shaped much of her childhood; economics saw her family living in multiple cities and small towns in Minnesota, Illinois, and New York. In later years, the war and her own wanderlust led her to Los Angeles, Norfolk, Seattle, and Lima, Peru.
In 1959, on an unknown San Francisco block somewhere between North Beach and the Mission District, Dory finally fell for her one love, George. They made their family and their home in the Bay Area, never too far from her beloved San Francisco.
Dory was predeceased by her husband, George Keller; sister, Louise Mason and brother-in-law, Hugh; brother, John Erickson and sister-in-law, Mary; and many friends who helped form “the greatest generation.” She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Ladd and Lisa’s husband, Charlie; her son, Reece Keller; grandchildren, Reece MacRae, Sophie Keller and Nicholas Keller; niece, Luchie Lessley and her husband, Rodney; niece, Christine Erickson; nephew, Clark Mason and his wife, Virginia; and nephew, John Mason and his wife Shawna. We will miss your spark, Dory Doll.
A celebration of Dory’s life will be held on March 4 at 11 a.m. at the United Church of Thetford, North Thetford, Vt. Memorial contributions may be made to the United Church of Thetford or the Bayada Foundation. Both organizations supported her in her final years.