Dorothy Parks

Seven and a half months after reaching her goal of celebrating her 100th birthday, our dear friend, Dorothy left us on June 12, 2011. She was born on October 24, 1910 in East Chicago, Indiana, daughter of James O. and Gail North Parks. Greeting her with her parents was an older brother, Kenneth. Her father died when she was just a year old and the family moved to Utah where they stayed for three years before returning to Indiana where Dorothy graduated from high school. She briefly attended a business college in Michigan but then moved back to Indiana. In 1949 she returned to Utah which she always said was the best move she ever made. She worked for the government and retired as a clerk in the Veterans Hospital. Her enthusiasm and energy more than compensated for her small stature. She loved music, travel, animals, the outdoors and camping and accomplished much in each area. She was a member of the Oratorio Society of Utah and traveled abroad with them to Egypt and Israel. She visited Alaska, various countries in Europe and the Arctic Circle. She camped throughout the western United States and Canada. She was a long-time member of First Congregational Church, Federal Women’s Club, Lynds Chapter #1, Order of the Eastern Star, White Shrine of Jerusalem and an active adult participant in Job’s Daughters. As she had no remaining family in Utah, her extensive “family” of friends was her most prized possession and 175 of these friends celebrated her 100th birthday with her.

She dearly loved her “home” in Holladay Healthcare Center and those who so lovingly cared for her there.

A memorial celebration will be held at First Congregation Church, 2150 Foothill Drive, SLC 84109 at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26th. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to First Congregational Church. Arrangements under the care of Evans & Early Mortu

t Lake City, UT.