– On Jan. 21, Faye Earnestine (Earnie) Dusi passed peacefully in her sleep.
She is proceeded in death by her cherished husband, Guido, F. Dusi of Paso Robles CA, her parents Edgar and Perty Dobbs of Childress TX, in-laws Sylvester and Caterina Dusi of Paso Robles, her son Gary Kircher of Paso Robles, all 9 siblings and their spouses Chloe (Roy Bob) Lankford, Dorothy (Delbert) Harrill, Mack (Billie Bob) Dobbs, Ray (Elsie) Dobbs, Gene (Darlene) Dobbs, Harold (Helen) Dobbs, Troy Dobbs, Joan (Doyle) Davis, Robert Dobbs, Dante and Dottie Dusi, Benito Dusi and Nieces Sharon Newman, Kathy Dusi-Sherperd, Nikki Hendericks and countless friends and acquaintances.
She is survived by her daughters, Barbara Dusi, and Gina Dusi, and grandchildren Cameron Kircher, Demis Fontes, Domonic Fontes, Karen Haag, Christopher Haag, Gina Rose James, daughter-in-law Sheila Kircher and sister-in-law Gemma Dobbs. Numerous nieces and nephews in particular: Glendon (Claudette) Lankford, Debbi (Frank) Williams, Rick (Teresa) Dusi, and Mike (Joni) Dusi.
Earnie was born into this world on August 8, 1926, in Childress TX. She grew up in a cotton sharecropper family with 9 siblings surviving the Great Depression. She and her family knew poverty.
At age 16 she married her first husband and moved to San Miguel California while he was stationed at Camp Robert’s during WWII boot camp training.
Earnie’s determination powered her to make it on her own during that time. Learning independence through the school of hard knocks, getting odd jobs to make rent and have food. In time, she was able to move to Paso Robles. Her first marriage ended. There was no going back to Texas. She felt connected to California and had more opportunities. Though always a country girl at heart.
Earnie took waitressing jobs at local cafes and the Paso Robles Inn.
On one honky tonk rebel rousing evening at Johnny’s Bar she met the newly returned veteran hometown boy Guido. That was the beginning of their history. Guido and Earnie were married for 47 years.
Her in-laws Sylvester and Caterina Dusi welcomed her into the old-world Italian way, teaching her life skills and sharing their small-town rural life. Her and Guido spend time on the family ranch helping with what needed to be done. She deeply appreciated her in-law’s sense of humor. She took pride in being a Dusi and embracing the land and culture. Together they raised, Gary Kircher, Barbara Dusi, and Gina Dusi.
Side by side with Guido’s entrepreneurial skills and hard-driving abilities they build one of only two electrical contracting businesses in town. Paso Robles Electric became their life force. Remaining under Guido’s and Earnie oversight for 47 years. Earnie worked in the shop as a jack of all trades. Their life was filled with rebel rousing, square dancing, Elks Club, Shiners, Friday and Saturday nights at Busi’s or Paso Robles Inn, boating/skiing at Lake Nacimiento, snow skiing at Badger Pass or Lake Tahoe, and hunting. Working hard and playing hard was the way of life.
Through this, countless friendships and business relationships were forged. Now only children and/or grandchild of those legends are living.
After Guido’s passing, Earnie retired from Paso Robles Electric. Again adjusting to a different way. She mastered Guido’s barbecuing expertises, took up travel and card playing. There were many tri-tips, card games, and trips.
Once again, she forged many friendships through card playing at various friends homes and the Paso Robles Seniors Center. Her card friends were her mainstay til the end of her life.
Earnie had a strong determination to make it. In a man’s world of electricity and contracting, Earnie held her own learning and being the shopkeeper. It always gave her a good laugh when men would only want to get help from Guido or Gary … but when not available … the male customers were in shock when she was able to provide technical information and supplies ensuring the customers’ needs were met. Bam! In 1958 a new family addition of a wooden hull Chris Craft boat with Guido’s newly installed Hemi engine showcased Earnie’s grit. She was not going to be left behind and learned to water single ski despite not knowing how to swim! Bam!
In the last few years of Earnie’s life, she moved to the Oaks of Paso Robles. Again adjusting. There too she made many friends with residents and staff.
Earnie’s strength and determination will never be forgotten. She had a masterful skill of a “can-do attitude”. She loved clothes, her hair done weekly, manicured nails, being outdoors and in the sunshine.
Like days ago in the cotton fields, at her home she would bask outside in the sunshine with a hoe in her hand weeding or in her vegetable garden or tending to her dessert tortoises.
Paso Robles was her hometown for 82 years. She was a local historian with recall of how things were and developed, buildings, families and local scandal. She was amazed, delighted and a bit saddened of the growth and change.
Her last tour of Paso Robles was highlighted by the beautiful Christmas lights in the Paso Robles Park taking note of her old roots…. Busi’s (now Pappy McGregors) which was originally Dusi’s where her beloved Guido was born upstairs.
Earnie’s motto is, “ Life is what you make of it”.
Honoring Earnie’s request, no services will be held and in lieu of flowers she can be honored by donating to one of her favorite charities, the Shiners Children’s Organization or the Paso Robles Pioneer Museum.
The Paso Robles Daily News accepts and publishes local obituaries and death notices free of charge from individuals and local funeral homes. See information and tips here on writing an obituary. Please submit the obituary a few days before services, if possible. To submit an obituary, please email it to skye@accesspublishing.com with “obituary” in the subject line. Please email a photo along with the obituary.