Search by Name
Search by Name
Dorothy Ruth Gore, 97, passed away Thursday March 19 at the Mercy Hospice House. Dorothy was born April 22, 1922 at home in Oxford Colorado, the daughter of John and Edith Klusman.
Dorothy was raised in Oxford Colorado and attended the two-room Oxford school house. She graduated from Durango High School in 1939 and attended Fort Lewis College at the old campus, and later finishing her teaching degree in Greeley Colorado. In the summers, she worked for the defense department to earn money for college. The first summer was at Gates Rubber Company in Denver, and the next summer she and her friend Ruth worked in Hanford Washington, the first full-scale plutonium reactor in the world. The plutonium was used in the nuclear bomb that ended the war with Japan. They worked as servers in the cafeteria for the 800 men who were stationed there.
Dorothy and her husband knew each other all their lives, but when Jim came home from WW II in July of 1945, they began dating. They were married on September 15, 1945. Their daughter Carolyn was born on January 1, 1949, and Evelyn was born on January 9, 1954. Dorothy stayed at home with the girls until Evelyn was about 3. She was asked by the Durango School District to take a teaching position at Mason Elementary. She taught there a few years, and then moved to Needham Elementary, where she taught until her retirement in 1982. Her Legacy was her students, and heard from many of them over the years, thanking her. There is a scholarship through P.E.O. in her name.
Dorothy loved to play bridge. She and Jim played in couples bridge club that played together for more than 30 years, and another couples group that played for around 10 years. She also played with a few women's groups, and was still playing at the Senior Center. She was a member of P.E.O., St. Mark's Espiscopal Church, Neodelphians, Rebecca's Eastern Star and Past Noble Grand.
Dorothy and Jim loved to travel, and traveled to most of the states in the United States. They took a six week trip to Alaska in their camper with daughters Evelyn and Carolyn. They also traveled to Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, and to Europe in their later years, not to mention several cruises.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters: Carolyn Scott of Highlands Ranch Colorado, Evelyn McLaughlin(spouse Kirk) of Bayfield Colorado; grandchildren Ryan McLaughlin (spouse Yunnuen) and their daughters Mariana and Paulina; Tyler McLaughlin (spouse Bobbi) and their daughter Lucy; and nieces and nephews Ruthann(Carl), Bob(Paula), Twilla, Judy(John), Linda(Jim) and Ralph(Gail), several great nieces and nephews, several great-great nieces and nephews, and even two great-great-great nieces. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to
St. Marks Episcopal Church, P.E.O., and the Senior Center in Durango.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Will always remember the Theta Rho group and the fun we all had. Carol (Huner) Cicmanec
April 20, 2020
Carolyn,
Your Mom was a unique woman of many interests and things, but to us she was our dearest neighbor and loving friend on West 2nd Avenue. We are sorry she is gone, but the fondest of memories will live in our hearts and minds.
Dorthy helped me move out of the depths of bad playing Bridge. I remember complaining about it to her one time saying I don't know what to do with the cards when I get them and I don't know how to communicate with my Bridge partner. She agreed with me that I didn't know the above as I was her miserable partner at times. So she gave me a Gore booklet on playing Bridge and told me to memorize every single page. I did so and amazingly my Bridge score improved thanks to Dorothy. I was getting Low every single time.
One more special memory I would like to share. Our family from Tucson was visiting us and we invited Dorothy over for super because she wanted to see their son, Lucio as he had taken her old microwave for some of his projects. She liked the meal I had prepared, but was so excited about the dessert I made, which was a chocolate layer cake with white fluffy meringue
frosting. She had not had that frosting in years and told us how her Mom instructed her to make some for their cake that evening. She had to gather the eggs for the whites and then proceeded on with the recipe using the old fashioned hand operated egg beater. It was quit a laborious job and she was proud of her accomplishment. It was so fun to hear her tell the story of making the white fluffy frosting.
Our Sincere sympathy,
Nancy and Jim Federico
Nancy and Jim Federico
April 3, 2020
Dorothy was one of my favorite teachers at Needham school. I always remember her using the comment "from soup to nuts." I loved that. My parents were good friends with Dorothy and Jim. She and my mother's ladies group would go to lunch once a month. My thoughts are with you Carolyn and Evelyn.
Carol Allan
April 1, 2020
Dorothy was an inspiration to so many people fortunate to know her. A take charge woman with a soft spot in her heart. Her smile was captivating. I will miss her so and remember her legacy.
Ginny Brown
Friend
March 31, 2020
Your Mother was so kind to all. I'm so sorry for your loss. She was a treasure to our community.
Sweetie Marbury
Sweetie Marbury
March 30, 2020
Dorothy, you were a strong, smart and beautiful woman inside and out. Looking at this photo brings a smile to my face. You loved the color red, of course! I remember when you drove up to church in your brand new red Cadillac. Quite classy.
Dorothy, your family is in my prayers that they may find peace in this difficult time.
Lea Leach
March 29, 2020
Like countless others, I was a student in her classroom at Needham. My memories of her are nothing but warmth and caring. I still remember when she took our class to her house. I was fascinated by the player piano. I am so glad to have visited her a couple of years ago with my sister. She was an absolute delight.
Larae Vest
Student
March 28, 2020
Greeted her many times when I visited my mom in assisted living. She was always impeccably dressed and had a smile on her face! it's not easy to let our moms go...
Barbara Martin
March 28, 2020
Dorothy was a great human being, she had such a wonderful spirit,
She will be missed
Randy Junttonen
Randy Junttonen
March 28, 2020
Mrs Gore was my favorite teacher. She was always happy and so dignified. I loved how she challenged us to be our best and amazing how she could remember students fifty plus years after! Brenda Furlow
March 28, 2020
Mrs. Gore was an amazing teacher!! She truly cared about her students!! Keeping her family in my thoughts and prayers!!
Diana Perez-Moro
Student
March 27, 2020
Mrs. Gore was one of my favorite teachers in grade school. I learned so much from her. Keeping all her family in my prayers.
All my best,
Kim (Bussey) Paxton
March 27, 2020
Mrs. Gore was a great teacher . Carolyn you have all my prayers and sympathy during this sad time.
Sincerely,
Susan (Allan) Kruger
March 26, 2020
Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more