Born as Dorothy Wagner on December 19, 1901, in San Antonio, Texas, at age five her family moved and settling in Half Moon Bay, California.

[2][4] In 1937, Puccinelli created a 6′ x 8′ tempera-on-canvas mural called Vacheros at the post office in Merced, California.

[5] In 1939, Puccinelli worked with artist, Helen Katharine Forbes to paint the interior four panel murals of the Mother's Building at the San Francisco Zoo.

[7][8] The four murals depict a Noah's Ark-theme with animals and were funded by Federal Art Project (FAP) and Works Progress Administration (WPA).

[7][9] From 1978 until 2002, the Mother's Building served as a gift shop for the zoo, the mural is now in need of restoration and the room is only used for special events.