Dorothy Combs Obituary

Combs
Dorothy Ann "Dottie" Combs
August 13, 1941
October 11, 2023

Dorothy Ann Bush Combs of Ojai, California, passed away peacefully after a lifetime of love, adventure, and contribution on October 11, 2023. Dorothy was born on August 13, 1941, in Asheville, North Carolina, to Army Colonel Morris Bush and Dorothy Montony Bush. She graduated from Denver's South High School in 1958. She went on to earn a degree in English and teaching certificate from Colorado College in 1962 and pursued additional studies in zoology, anthropology and history.
Dottie was a renowned wildlife rehabilitation expert, she rescued and released thousands of animals from hundreds of species back into the wild. She dedicated her life to the protection and regeneration of wild lands and the creatures that roamed them.
As a lifelong environmentalist and accomplished communitarian, she was involved with numerous organizations, events and charities over the years, including the Junior League, Lindsay Wildlife Museum, The Raptor Center, Help of Ojai, Ojai Hospital Guild, Ojai Museum, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Ojai Film Society, Santa Barbara Film Society, Philanthropic Education Organization, Sierra Club, Audubon Society and The National Disaster Search Dog Foundation.
As a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-aunt, Dottie was adored by her family. Always up for adventures, thoughtful conversations, acts of kindness and mischievous detours. A merry prankster and a great sport, she was known for her rubber-band fettuccine, frosted metal cakes, ginger bread houses and beloved macaroni garbage.
As an entrepreneur, Dottie created and ran both a successful floral design business and an antiques business. In both ventures, Dottie was tireless, keen-eyed, and knowledgeable.
Often a stranger in a strange land, Dottie dove into building a life in every new environment she found herself in, whether it was Asheville, Florence and Naples, Italy, Washington D.C., Montgomery, Denver, Colorado Springs, Hinsdale, Dallas, Perrysburg, Alamo, Haley, or Ojai. Dottie knew how to create a loving, joyful home for herself and her family. She did it beautifully, time and again.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, James Combs; brother, Ambassador Fred Bush; children, Gregory, Andrew, and Jamison; grandchildren, Emily, Mackenzie, and Drew; nephews, Alex and Taylor; nieces, Margaret and Channing; and Solomon the owl.
In honor of her amazing life, The Dorothy Ann Bush Nature Sanctuary has been founded and funded in her honor. Set on 50 magnificent acres at the headwaters of the Shasta River, her spirit will continue to protect, inspire, and empower.
A family memorial service will be held on Wednesday, October 18th. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the The Ojai Raptor Center or The Boy Scouts of America.