Dorothy Firmalo Tigson (94) - On May 20, 2018, Dorothy Firmalo Tigson, age 94, passed away peacefully in Clovis, California, with loved ones nearby. Dorothy was born in Madera, California, to John and Alice Michiyo Firmalo on September 1, 1923, the oldest of seven children.
The start of World War II ushered in two unhappy episodes in the life of her family: the death of her father in her junior year of high school and the internment of her family in a relocation center (Fresno Assembly Center) in the middle of her senior year. This was because her mother, although an American born citizen, was of Japanese descent. Being the oldest, Dorothy then had more responsibilities with her family. Her father was Filipino, a proud American Legionnaire and a Master Mason. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War I. The Madera American Legion Commander and members, his Masonic Brethren and local businessmen took only three months to secure the family’s pardon and return to their Madera home.
Dorothy graduated from Madera High School in 1942, but, unfortunately, she graduated in a ceremony at the Fresno Assembly Center during the War, and not with her high school classmates. It was approximately 50 years later when she, and other Japanese internees, finally received their high school diplomas. Dorothy also attended Fresno City College, setting an example to her children. With roots deep in the Madera community, she enjoyed attending class reunions and connecting with longtime friends.
Dorothy was married to Resty for 58 years before he passed away in 2002. They purchased land in Madera, Resty built their home, and they moved into it in August 1948. They first grew strawberries and then Thompson seedless grapes, always made into raisins. They worked hard to make a living along with other jobs. With hard work and sacrifice, they raised six children, then sent them off to college. They maintained a lifestyle that was once an American tradition, the family farm. They appreciated the satisfaction of producing something out of the land.
Dorothy was a cafeteria manager at Alpha Elementary School and when Alpha closed, she moved to Thomas Jefferson Middle School for a total of over 30 years. Dorothy was a member of The First Presbyterian Church in Madera and member and officer of The Filipino-American Women’s Club of Fresno. After Dorothy retired, she volunteered at Madera Community Hospital. She also worked at the Madera Chamber of Commerce and she loved working as a tour guide at the Pizza Farm which was located at the Madera Fairgrounds where school children learned how the ingredients were raised. For numerous years, Dorothy had an article in the Madera Tribune, “Dorothy Tigson - From the Kitchen,” where she featured weekly a Madera resident/family and their favorite recipe. She was also a representative for the Foreign Exchange Program where she found host families for foreign students.
As the family’s matriarch, Dorothy will forever be remembered as a devoted wife to Resty and a loving mother and Granny to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always encouraged her children to higher levels of achievement, whether it was in academics, music, sports, 4-H, or school and community activities. Always energetic and involved, Dorothy loved gardening, cooking and spending time with her family. She was known for her beautiful sweet peas and delicious biscottis which she generously shared with family and friends. Everyone loved her biscottis which she brought to every gathering! Hers was a long life well lived and despite many obstacles, hardships and losses, she persisted and met challenges head-on. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as her large extended family!
She is survived by her son, Mike Tigson of San Diego; two daughters, Sandy Rasay and husband Hernando of San Jose, and Linda Wilson and husband Chuck of Clovis; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Gloria Harvey, Jim Firmalo and Richard Firmalo. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Resty, daughters, Cindy and Shelly, son, Ken, and sisters, Alice Una Dia and Lily Lum, and brother John Firmalo.
A Celebration of Life will be held on July 14, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Jay Chapel located at 1121 Roberts Avenue, Madera, California. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dorothy’s honor to the American Heart Association, 7425 North Palm Bluffs Avenue, #101, Fresno, CA 93711.
