Dorothy “Dottie” Jean Virden was born March 15, 1921 in Pittsburg, PA died June 16, Westward Heights Nursing Home, Lander, Wyoming at the age of 91.
After graduation in Pittsburg, Pa., Dottie enlisted in the US Coast Guard serving during WWII. She attended the Pittsburg Art Institute, using her artistic skills as a court “sketch artist” and then later as a fashion illustrator.
After the death of her first husband, Bill Jones, Dottie and two children Ellen and Mark, moved to Lander, WY. In 1955, but moved for a brief time to Denver, CO where she worked as a fashion illustrator for the Jones Company. Shortly after though, she returned to the city she loved, Lander where she met and married Ray Virden in 1973. Ray had two daughters, Candi (Brewer) and Shirley (Williams).
Her varied careers included selling real estate for Ken Martinsen Realty, hostessing at Svilar’s Restaurant and bar, working for KOVE radio station, clerk at Baldwin’s dept. store, church secretary for Covenant Presbyterian Church and a variety of responsibilities at Lander Christian Academy. Dottie and Ray cared for and “babysat” for the Doug and Juanita Duncan’s children.
Dottie was active in many activities over the years, but particularly enjoyed Christian Women’s club, entertaining, camping, golfing, church activities and bible studies as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and caring for children.
Her many loves were her extended family and all children, animals, (especially dogs) golf, and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She is survived by: daughter Ellen (Jones) Palmerton, (Gary) of Deer Lodge MT, son Mark Jones, Elko NV, son in law Billy Brewer (step- daughter Candi, deceased), step-daughter Shirley Williams (Les) of Odessa TX, 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, special long time Lander family Doug and Juanita and their children.
A memorial service will be held 10 A.M. July 25, 2015 at Covenant Presbyterian Church Lander, Wyo. Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church 875 Freemont St., or Abba’s House 108 S 7th St East, Riverton.
After graduation in Pittsburg, Pa., Dottie enlisted in the US Coast Guard serving during WWII. She attended the Pittsburg Art Institute, using her artistic skills as a court “sketch artist” and then later as a fashion illustrator.
After the death of her first husband, Bill Jones, Dottie and two children Ellen and Mark, moved to Lander, WY. In 1955, but moved for a brief time to Denver, CO where she worked as a fashion illustrator for the Jones Company. Shortly after though, she returned to the city she loved, Lander where she met and married Ray Virden in 1973. Ray had two daughters, Candi (Brewer) and Shirley (Williams).
Her varied careers included selling real estate for Ken Martinsen Realty, hostessing at Svilar’s Restaurant and bar, working for KOVE radio station, clerk at Baldwin’s dept. store, church secretary for Covenant Presbyterian Church and a variety of responsibilities at Lander Christian Academy. Dottie and Ray cared for and “babysat” for the Doug and Juanita Duncan’s children.
Dottie was active in many activities over the years, but particularly enjoyed Christian Women’s club, entertaining, camping, golfing, church activities and bible studies as a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, and caring for children.
Her many loves were her extended family and all children, animals, (especially dogs) golf, and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She is survived by: daughter Ellen (Jones) Palmerton, (Gary) of Deer Lodge MT, son Mark Jones, Elko NV, son in law Billy Brewer (step- daughter Candi, deceased), step-daughter Shirley Williams (Les) of Odessa TX, 15 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, special long time Lander family Doug and Juanita and their children.
A memorial service will be held 10 A.M. July 25, 2015 at Covenant Presbyterian Church Lander, Wyo. Memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church 875 Freemont St., or Abba’s House 108 S 7th St East, Riverton.