Dorothy June Massey

Dorothy June Massey, 79, Fruita, died Oct. 6, 2014, at HopeWest and Hospice Care Center. Services will be 1 p.m. Friday at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. Interment takes place 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at Fort Logan National Cemetery.

She is survived by three daughters, Stephanie Schilling of Carbondale, Dietra “Dee” Yenter of Grand Junction and Tracy Varra of Fruita; one brother, Ralph Drake of Fort Collins; and Wilma Keane of Davey, Nebraska; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions to HopeWest and ospice Care Center, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction, 81506.

Dorothy June Drake Massey

Born June 20, 1935 Died October 6, 2014

Dorothy June Massey of Fruita, Colorado died gracefully on October 6th of 2014 at 8:00 PM at the HopeWest Hospice Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado with her three daughters by her side. Dorothy lived fearlessly despite being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in April of 2008 where she spent her last days with her family and close friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Martha Blanche Smith Drake and Lale Drake, husband Duane LeRoy “Pat” Massey and her Brother Wayne Drake.

She was born in the town of Humboldt, Nebraska on June 20th 1935 in her family home that her Grandfather built and where her father was born. Living her childhood years there, she later moved to Fort Collins, Colorado when she was 14 years old and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1952. There she met her best friend of 60 years Betsy Lamb Thompson.

In December of 1957, Betsy introduced Dorothy to “Pat” Massey at a dance in Denver and 6 months later she was married. She sold her car for $250.00 to pay for the wedding. Betsy married Pat’s best friend Harry Thompson a month before and they raised their families together. Pat and Dorothy had three daughters Stephanie, Dietra and Tracy. Fond memories were always exchanged between the families and still are. Living most of their married life on Hoyt Street in Lakewood Colorado from 1969 to 1998 Grandma Honey and Grandpa Pat could always be seen working in the yard. Loving the home they had created, they even chose to stay home on vacations.

Pat passed away on October 21st 1998 after 40 years of marriage. Living alone in the big house Dorothy decided to follow her children to Fruita in 2004 to present.

Throughout her life Dorothy worked at a Hobby Shop in Fort Collins for 4 years after High School and then at Baker Shoe Store in Denver. In the 70’s she operated D & D Janitorial Services with Pat and cleaned houses. Her main focus was her family, providing love and support.

Dorothy loved to go for daily walks, gamble and socialize with family and friends. She was a great listener and always provided comforting and soothing advice. Dorothy had a beautiful smile and an infectious laugh. She would never be caught complaining and instead was always very positive saying “Only you can make YOU happy.” She lived holistically, eating healthy and giving her Doctors a challenge when she would chose not to have any x-rays and insist on fewer medications during her treatment. She was very intune with her body and taught us “Love is energy and energy is everything”.