Obituary of Dorothy Ann Lenhardt Derania

Dorothy Ann Lenhardt Derania died on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Tualatin, OR, at 90 years old.

Dorothy was born to Martin and Barbara Lenhardt in Dickinson, ND, on March 29, 1933. She and her four sisters attended grammar school at St Joseph’s Catholic School where they learned Latin and letters from the Sisters. They enjoyed playing with their cousins, the Miklautch girls, across the road. At the age of twelve, Dorothy arrived by train in Jackson, CA, with her parents and four sisters. An avid reader and student, Dorothy often recounted tales of staying up with a flashlight to read and then waking early to study, when the house of five girls was quiet at last. She attended the Jackson Grammar School and later graduated Salutatorian from Jackson High School in 1951. In 1952, she was runner-up for the Miss Sacramento Pageant, a division of the Miss America Pageant. She attended Sacramento City College and then worked for several law firms, UC Davis, and the UC Davis Medical Center. After marrying Plymouth native Robert Derania, they resided in Amador County for many years before moving to Dixon, where they raised their two sons, Peter and Rob.

After the death of her second husband, Frank Terra, Dorothy moved to Oregon to be closer to her sons and grandchildren. In her later years, she enjoyed the company of her well-fed cats, reruns of the Golden Girls, and visiting with family.

Dorothy’s love of music began as a little girl in the front row of her church choir. After high school, she received formal opera voice training. In the 50s and 60s, Dorothy starred in many Sacramento area theatrical and operatic productions,

with theater groups such as the JayRob Theater and the Sacramento Civic Repertory. When her children were young, she brought music to their schools as a volunteer music teacher. In Oregon, she was involved with the Voices for Performing Arts’ adult choral group, the Chorale. Even in her later years, she loved singing with her grandchildren; at her last birthday party, she performed a duet with her granddaughter.

To her high school friends, she was “Dot” or “Dotty”. To her grandkids, she was “Dee Dee”. To her friends and family, she was dearly loved.

Dorothy is survived by her son Robert Derania Jr (Lynn); her grandchildren Dr. Jessa Derania, Ella Derania Gonzalez (Gabriel), Alyssa Derania, Matthew Derania, Forrest Terra, Bridger Terra, Trevor Terra; and her sisters Georgianna Hunt and Ramona Aparicio. She is predeceased by her husband Robert Derania, husband Frank Terra, son Peter Derania; and siblings Lucille Ferrari, Mary Lenhardt, and Phillip Lenhardt.

Funeral Mass will be held in Jackson, CA, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on May 5th at 12pm, burial to follow. Visitation May 4th from 3 to 5pm and Rosary 5pm at Daneri Mortuary.