Dorothy was born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1960. After a brief period at the University of Cape Town, she completed a 4-year Higher Diploma in Education ( Art) from 1979- 1982 at the Cape Town Teachers' College. Folowing this, Dorothy relocated to Mafikeng, Bophuthatswana ( a so-called homeland in South Africa) from 1983-1988, she she was a permanent techer. She then married and relocated, with her husband, to Kwa-Zulu Natal, where she spent several years raising their two daughters. In 1996 she returned to part time, permanent teaching at a small Catholic private school. Having been run and staffed by nuns previously, there was no pension or medical aid for the secular staff. A Provident Fund was established for staff in approximately 2010. Dorothy retired in 2024 and received the Provident payment, which has been invested for her retirement. Her husband is also retired, and they live off the combined investments that were made for their joint retirement.