Dorothy Merle DuRette Pickens passed away peacefully on June 15, 2013, at the age of 97 in Rangely, Colo.
Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Pearl Floyd Pickens. She was born Oct. 10, 1915, in Fairfield, Marion, Ore. to Francis Ralph DuRette and Mary Valerie Short DuRette. Dorothy was the oldest of 11 children and is survived by her brother, Lawerence DuRette.
Dorothy married Pearl Floyd Pickens on July 11, 1935. He preceded her in death.
Dorothy and Pearl had six children, Steve (Reba) Pickens, Sylvia Pickens, Frank Pickens, Mary Ann Allred, Nancy (Sig) Pickens and Lillie (Audie) Fergus. They now have 21 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Dorothy worked beside her husband on their farm in Silverton, Ore., raising children and berries. They always opened the doors of their home to family and friends. Dorothy loved being around as her family grew.
Dorothy and Pearl were able to serve missions in Australia and England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They also were participants in the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra, N.Y., and worked in the Seattle and Portland LDS temples.
About five years ago, Dorothy moved to Rangely, Colo., where she made new friends at church and took part in aerobics at the Rangely Recreation Center and assisted at the meal site at Radino.
She wasn’t one to let age slow her down. Her beautiful smile charmed all she met. Dorothy loved her new friends and her friends from Oregon. She had a zest for life and loved being involved.
There will be a memorial service at 10 a.m. on June 29 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 125 Eagle Crest Ave., in Rangely