December 17, 1931 - February 11, 2023
Dorothy Malama -Bright, 91, went to be with the Lord on February 11, 2023, with her family by her side.
Dorothy was born to William James Palmer and Dorothy Dellea Anne Lonas, in Washington, D.C. on December 17, 1931.
In 1955, while working as a waitress at a nightclub in Philadelphia, Dorothy met Leteonio Simi Malama Sr. where he was a Polynesian fire dancer. They fell in love and decided to make a life together. While in Philadelphia they had their first children Tito and Fale (twins). Wanting to be closer to family they packed up and moved across the country to California where they settled down having two more children Leteonio Jr. and Pasami. They lived in Los Angeles for 30+ years before moving to Colorado. On September 7, 1961, she married Leteonio Simi Malama Sr, in Los Angeles, CA who preceded her in death on April 6, 2001. After some time on her own Dorothy got a second chance at love and on November 14, 2009, she married Carson J. Bright, in Johnstown, CO who preceded her in death on April 1, 2013.
Dorothy was a domestic goddess raising 4 children. While raising children Dorothy was self-employed with her own cleaning business, she also spent several years as a certified nursing assistant because she always felt the need to help others. Dorothy was always active, never one to just sit around. As she aged she would help her friends who were unable to do their own chores by helping them keep their apartments clean, doing laundry and taking out their trash for them. She gave the maintenance crew at her building a run for their money. Dorothy’s faith was always a guiding light in her life. She was a member of Longs Peak Methodist Church. She also was a proud member of the A.A. for 45 years. She enjoyed embroidery and was an avid bingo player. She enjoyed throwing parties for any occasion. She was the designated cake maker for all her events. She enjoyed collecting many things over her lifetime, like salt and pepper shakers, copper figurines, pitcher bowl wash basins, teacups and other varieties of knick-knacks. Dorothy was very sociable, making friends wherever she went.
She is survived by her daughters, Fale Porter, of NV; Pasami Malama-Rodela, of CO; daughter in law Lisa Malama, of CA; grandchildren, Rebecca Rodela (Steven) of CO, Armando Rodela (Molly) of CO, Tiffany Porter (Sonya), CO, Daniel Porter of NV and Isabel Malama, of CA, great grandchild, Eliana Crago of CO. She is preceded in death by her sons, Tito Simi Malama & Leteonio Simi “Tony” Malama and son in laws Elias Joel “Joe” Rodela and Marc O. Porter.
Memorial Service will be held on Friday March 24, 2023, 3:00 p.m. at Kibbey Fishburn Funeral Home in Loveland.