Dorothy Kathryn Roach, 97, passed away on Nov. 22, 2019, at Lake Leota Senior Care in Woodinville, Washington. A family celebration of life was held in Wenatchee on Nov. 29. Interment will be at the Wenatchee Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Cove Food Bank, P.O. Box 895, Twisp, WA 98856.
Dorothy was born on Dec. 15, 1921, in Covina, California, to Lynn and Zella Hall. She spent her first 11 years living with her Grandma and Grandpa Bashore on their orange grove, where they shared with her the joys and challenges of “living off the land,” as well as their unshakeable faith in God.
Dorothy’s teen years were spent in her parents’ home, where there was a piano and an influx of neighboring families from the Dust Bowl who brought a lifelong love of homegrown music into her life.
In the 1940s, Dorothy graduated from high school and business college, got her first job at Montgomery Wards — and then, on a very memorable Memorial Day in 1942, met a World War II solder (Daniel G. Roach) who would soon become her husband. After the war, Dorothy and Dan moved to Washington state — bringing with them a son and daughter. The next 20 years brought three more children and more “living off the land” — with big gardens, canned fruit, homemade bread and hand-sewn clothes.
In 1965, Dorothy and Dan bought a ranch on the banks of the Methow River, which launched almost 30 years of pure “Methow Magic” — and the making of enough memories for visiting children and grandchildren to last a lifetime.
Over the years, people who have known Dorothy well have described her as bright, energetic, adaptable, in love with God and in love with her family. Without exception, each one of us can say that we are who we are, in part because of what she poured into us.
Dorothy is survived by her children, Dan (Dee) Roach, Ellen (Gerald) Grant, John (Kathy) Roach, Kathy (Rodney) Peterson, and Sam (Dianna) Roach; 13 grandchildren: 12 great-grandchildren; a sister (Evie Boothby); and a brother (Al Hall). She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan, in 2006.
The family of Dorothy Roach wishes to thank Helen Pasca, at Lake Leota Senior Care, for her selfless care of Dorothy during her final years. We are eternally grateful!
