Dorothy Gore Obituary

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.

Published by The Durango Herald on Mar. 26, 2020.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Dorothy Gore

Not sure what to say?





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

Make a Donation
in Dorothy Gore's name

Memorial Events
for Dorothy Gore

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Dorothy's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Dorothy Gore's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more