Dorothy Basso
LIVERMORE, CALIF. – Dorothy Basso passed away peacefully on May 18, 2023, after a short illness at the age of 97. Born Dorothy Mae Faria on January 6, 1926, to Ernie and Helen Faria. Together with her eldest sister, Anna, they were raised in Livermore. Dorothy attended 5th Street Grammar School before graduating from Livermore High School in 1944. On Valentines Day in 1948, Dorothy married the love of her life, Ernie Basso. Together they raised two children; Steve and Sandy.
Dorothy worked at several local businesses including Rexall Drug, Beazell’s Drug, and Baughman’s. But her real love was working alongside her husband raising cattle and running various team roping arenas/events. In her free time, she loved to garden and was known for her natural green thumb. She enjoyed sewing, canning, raising chickens (in her early years), playing cards and long drives in the country. Dorothy had a love of, and a knack for, telling dirty jokes. She enjoyed spending all holidays with family and was known for her annual St. Patrick’s Day feast, a tradition the family continues.
If you look back in ACTRA history, you’ll find Dorothy was instrumental in the start of this organization. Dorothy, along with her husband Ernie, working in partnership with Pat and Larry Hunnicut, were the driving forces that got everything started. Dorothy and her husband ran some of the first ACTRA arenas in California. Dorothy was always in the office handling the signups, drawing the pots, as well as handling the payouts. It’s interesting to note, this was all done by hand, prior to the invention of computers. Dorothy is also credited for coming up with the moniker, ACTRA.
Dorothy was also a vital associate to the Livermore Rodeo. For many years she volunteered her time selling rodeo tickets and handling the payouts. Again, this was all done by hand, prior to use of computers, thus leaving her thumbprint in the local rodeo world forever.
She is survived by her son Steve (Sandy) Basso, daughter Sandy Inderbitzen; grandsons Brian (Jamie) Basso and Kyle (Ashley) Basso; great-grandchildren Shelby, Cadence, Rylan, and Beau Basso; along with many more extended family members.
She will always be in our hearts, and we will miss her dearly but are comforted knowing that she is reunited with the love of her life.
A Celebration of Life will be held July 1 at Inderbitzen Ranch/Basso’s Arena in Livermore. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Hope Hospice or the ACTRA Catastrophe Fund of California in her name.