Dorothy Judy Benveniste Novatt, “Dottie”, of Ventura, California passed away on August 7, 2018 at Brookhaven AL in Camarillo, California. She was 89 years old.
Dottie was born on March 1, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia to Isaac and Rachel Benveniste. She later moved with her family to Washington D.C. and then Los Angeles where she graduated from Manual Arts High School. After high school, Dottie attended Los Angeles City College to become a dental hygienist.
Dottie loved her community, family, and friends. She was active in the sisterhood chapter at Temple Valley Beth Israel in North Hollywood, CA and later at Temple Beth Torah in Ventura. Dottie was the first president of the Grande Dames women’s organization of the Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura. There she was known as “Dottie the Hottie” for her gregariousness and availability for her endless volunteer work. Theater was her enjoyment and passion. She loved spending time with her tight-knit family and friends, always interested to hear about their lives. When she was not socializing, Dottie would be busy attending to her balcony garden at the beachfront condo.
Dottie was a committed wife, mom, and grandma. She was always there to comfort family and friends during sickness and health. Dottie is survived by her husband of 68 years, Bernard Novatt, sister Birdie (Tziporah) Benator and her husband Josiah Benator of Atlanta, Georgia; her sister Joyce Wies of Pleasanton, California; her son Gary Novatt and his wife, Lisa Johnston Novatt, and her daughters Brynlie and Emberly Johnston of Buellton, California; her daughter, Sharon Novatt Ehrlich, and boyfriend Jay Jackson of Sun Valley, California; her grandchildren, Zachary Novatt of Los Angeles, Adam Novatt of New York City, Aaron Ehrlich of Blythe, and Becky Ehrlich of San Francisco; and numerous nephews and nieces.
Dottie is preceded in death by her parents, Isaac and Rachel Benveniste, her sister Pat (Matilda) Levin, her son Neal Novatt, and her brother-in-law David Wies.
Farewell to our beautiful, blue-eyed Dottie.
Family and friends are invited to Funeral Services to be officiated by Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller of Temple Beth Torah, on Sunday August 12, 2018 at 12:30pm in the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME, 757 E. Main Street Ventura. Interment will immediately follow in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to Rubicon Theatre Company, Temple Beth Torah, or The Alzheimer’s Association.