June 5, 2013
Doris Mack passed peacefully on the night of May 26, 2013, at the age of 90. After living away from the Methow Valley for two years, Doris had no hesitation when presented with an opportunity to return to Winthrop. From August 2012, she was able to live and draw her last breath in the place she knew as her community.
Doris was born Aug. 20, 1922, in South Dakota, to Mildred and Alvin McClintock. The family left South Dakota during the Dust Bowl and migrated to Eastern Washington, where her parents worked on farms and orchards. Doris graduated from Prosser High School.
During WWII, Doris worked as a riveter for Boeing. In 1945, she married John Daniel (“Danny”) Mack of Olympia. Together they lived, worked and raised a family of four children in the cities of Seattle, Redmond and Duvall. The family spent many happy summer and hunting season vacations at Early Winters or camping on the Chewuch River. In 1987, Doris and Danny retired to Lost River, Mazama, where they managed the Lost River Resort while converting their vacation cabin into a year-round residence.
An avid painter and artisan, Doris participated for many years as a member of the Methow Valley Artisans Co-op. Until very recently, she served in the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and at the Senior Center in Twisp, sorting and organizing the Rummage Room. Doris was very accomplished at needlework, knitting and crocheting items for friends and family. She enjoyed the local “Stitch-n-Bitch” group meetings at the Winthrop Barn and faithfully attended weekly TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meetings where she held KOPS status for many, many years.
Widowed in 1995, Doris continued at Lost River until 2000, when she moved into her home on Kensington Avenue in Winthrop. Doris was a good cook and baker, often preparing special dishes to share at potluck with members of the Mazama Community Church. She enjoyed puttering in her vegetable and flower gardens, pulling weeds and shooing the deer away from her roses. She liked to travel to Mazatlán with her daughter and rarely turned down a game of “Squabble” (Scrabble) or a competitive game of cards.
Doris is survived by her four children: Rita Stuff of Monroe; Jesse Mack (wife Arlene) of Thompson Falls, Mont.; Rosalie Escamilla (husband John) of Jackson, Calif.; and Edward Mack (wife Maria) of Monroe. She is also survived by her sister, Cathy Torvik (husband John) of Randle, Wash.; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life is scheduled for Sunday (June 9) at 3 p.m. at the Mazama Community Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial gift may be made in Doris’ name to Frontier Hospice in Omak; Room One: Lookout Coalition in Twisp; or the Mazama Community Church.
