Dorothea “Thea” Susanna Schlosser

                                                                            Born June 1, 1937, Hasenfeld, Germany

Dorothea, lovingly known as "Mom" to her children, "Omi" to her grandchildren, and "Omi Omi" to her great-grandchildren, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 23, 2025, in Yreka, California.

Mom was an amazing woman who accomplished much in her life. Born and raised in northern Germany during the turbulent years of World War II, Mom’s early years were marked by deprivation, hardship, and fear. Before the war, her family enjoyed financial security and a comfortable standard of living, but everything changed with the outbreak of conflict. At just eight years old, she worked in the coal mines to help her family survive. She washed floors, ran errands, and did whatever she could to contribute. Simple things, like a fork, were luxuries they couldn’t afford for a long time. Living under the constant threat of military attacks, her family never knew when or where the next bomb would fall, or when they might be torn apart. Fear and hunger became an everyday reality.

Then, one day, the fighting stopped, and by some miracle, her family had survived. In 1942, Mom's family moved to Southern Austria, beginning a new chapter of their life in the midst of the destruction that had surrounded them. Raised and educated in Austria, she developed a deep love for sports while growing up. She played tennis, ping pong, skied, and swam, earning numerous awards for her athletic abilities. She was a former Austrian swimming champion in 1950 before emigrating to the U.S.

In 1956, she married her childhood sweetheart, Karl Schlosser. That same year, they traveled together by ship, arriving in New York. The ship was small, with men and women sleeping in separate quarters. During high waves, the food would literally slide down the table—a scene that reminded Karl and Thea of an episode from I Love Lucy. Mom would often share how seeing the Statue of Liberty brought tears to their eyes as their dream was becoming a reality. From New York, they traveled by train to Los Angeles. With next to no savings, one suitcase in hand, and knowing very little English, they worked hard to build a new life together in the United States.

In 1975, the family moved from Downey to Goleta (Santa Barbara area). Mom was passionate in her belief in people, their potential, and the power of connection. She encouraged Dad to take an opportunity to become a partner in TRICOSS (Tri-County Spring and Stamping). This meant selling everything so that Dad could have his own business. Once in Goleta, Mom went door to door, making phone calls to get customers, and her perseverance paid off. TRICOSS eventually flourished, becoming a respected business and allowing their family to thrive.

In 1977, Mom founded Santa Barbara Camera Exchange with just $250, starting from their home and eventually moving into a storefront. She cherished the relationships she built with her customers, particularly students from the Brooks Institute of Photography. Mom loved talking with them about cameras and lenses, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for photography. She found joy in helping them explore their craft, guiding them to find the perfect equipment to suit their needs. Through the camera store, she and Karl met famous photographers Emil and Joseph Muench. They joined a photography club and went on many photo shoots together in California, Nevada, and Arizona. Her love for nature was reflected in her photography, often capturing breathtaking landscapes or moments of light.

Karl and Thea became the sole owners of TRICOSS in 1978. However, after 30 years of marriage, they divorced in 1986 but remained friends and loved each other until Karl passed away in 2014.

Mom was elected to Who's Who in American Women in 1983 and 1996, Foremost Women of the 20th Century in 1984, and won six international awards for photography. She appeared on TV to educate the public about Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and dedicated her life to increasing awareness.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Mom was ahead of her time, embracing alternative therapies to improve her health. She explored various approaches, including vitamins, homeopathy, and even shark stem cell treatment. Her willingness to try new therapies reflected her determination to heal herself and help others who struggled.

Mom was a huge sports fan. She could tell you about football stats, baseball stats, tennis matches, etc., and sometime during the 1980s and 1990s, she met and was photographed with Tommy Lasorda, manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Being a child during World War II had a lasting impact on Mom, and in 1996, she wrote and published Beyond the Dark Cloud: Road to Recovery from Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction, a book to raise awareness of CFIDS and emphasize that everyone is unique in their path to wellness.

An Excerpt From Her Book:

“Miss Schlosser survived being institutionalized… from one mental ward to another… including a Los Angeles area county hospital where she was diagnosed with major brain damage and told she must be confined in Camarillo State Hospital. She lost her home, her business, and worst of all—her ability to care for her family. She was repeatedly told, ‘It’s all in your mind.’ Surmounting tremendous odds, in 1993 she founded the Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Media Awareness Association. Her goal was to bring awareness to the unknown epidemic, which affects millions of people in the U.S. alone, with sadly one of the highest suicide rates of any illness.”

In 1998, Mom was featured in the Ventura County Star for her extensive collections, including a Beatles reel. She often referred to herself as an "incurable collector," amassing a wide variety of memorabilia, from signed Barry Bonds photographs to porcelain figurines, ancient Roman coins, paintings, and more.

In 2004, Mom was featured again in the Ventura County Star for an article called “Lots of Smiles, Lots of Teeth” about an alligator visiting the AlmaVia Assisted Living Facility.

In October 2024, Mom entered the care of Madrone Hospice. Their compassionate team ensured she experienced dignity and comfort in her last days. We are deeply grateful for their support and the peace they provided her during this time.

Mom loved her family deeply, and they loved her so much in return. She always reminded us to take care of ourselves and live full, healthy lives. Though she passed away peacefully, her love and strength will remain with us always.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Theodor and Anna Hermesmeyer, her brother Hugo, and her sister Maria. She is survived by her children: Ingrid (Steven) Boehm and Evelyn "Elly" Schlosser; her grandchildren: Shane Prukop, Christopher (Kelsey) Prukop, Jeffrey (Ashley) Boehm, and Ryan Boehm (Jon Garner); her great-grandchildren: Shane Prukop Jr., Channing Prukop, and Charlotte Prukop, Lucy Boehm, and Nora Boehm; her sister Anneliese Narath; Erika Boyce, mother of Shane Prukop’s children; and numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces in Austria, Australia, Germany, and the United States.

The family is spread across many locations, so services will be private. We will be spreading Mom's ashes over the ocean and mountains, both here and abroad. In lieu of flowers, if your heart desires, please consider donating to Madrone Hospice at madronehospice.org.

We would also be deeply grateful if you could share your stories, memories, and photos of your times with Thea on this memorial site. Hearing about the impact she had on others’ lives will bring us comfort and joy, and it would mean the world to us to celebrate her legacy through your stories.

Mom's life was a testament to resilience, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the goodness of people. Her legacy, marked by both hardships and triumphs, is a gift to those who knew her. As we remember her, we celebrate not only her accomplishments but also the warmth, kindness, and love she shared so generously. Her spirit will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and all those she touched. Thank you for being part of her story.

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