Dorothy M. Buchanan

Dorothy M. Buchanan, 79, died peacefully at her home on Monday morning, Aug. 11, 2003, from breast cancer.

Mom was the daughter of George and Lena Nelson and was born on March 2, 1924, in Courtenay, N.D. She talked fondly about growing up in a small farming community where work was hard but life was simple.

Mom graduated at the top of her high school class and moved to Jamestown, N.D., where she completed her studies at the Central Dakota Business School. She relocated to Fargo, N.D., where she worked in the Agronomy Department at NDSU, where she met her future husband, Raymond W. Buchanan, on a blind date. Mom and Dad were married on Sept. 16, 1947, and five children resulted from this union. In 1962, Dad was transferred in his job and the family moved to Billings.

Dorothy was a "stay-at-home" Mom and, in the early years, focused on her home and raising her children. When the children were old enough, Mom worked for the Billings Clinic and later for Orthopedic Associates where she retired from in 1988.

Mom was a member of St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral for over 40 years. She was very steadfast in her faith and lived her faith. Mom never liked being the center of attention so focused on more subtle acts of charity like helping to clean the church and convent, ironing the altar linens and vestments, sending food to the rectory and to funeral luncheons and being one of the first Eucharistic ministers for the home bound. She found great comfort during her illness to have the support and prayers from St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral.

Mom was a wonderful homemaker and cook. She loved Christmas and would start cooking during the summer so that everyone would have their "favorites." Mom loved to play bridge and enjoyed the company of the "bridge ladies," Mary, Bonnie and Mary Flo. She cherished her three grandchildren who called her "G-G." Mom was determined to babysit her grandchildren until they were all in school and achieved this goal shortly before she became ill.

Mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in November, 2001, and was not expected to live until Christmas, 2001. After a long hospitalization, Mom moved to St. John's Lutheran Home who provided excellent care and support. Mom missed her beloved home and, with the help of family and friends, was able to return home in June, 2002, where she resided until the time of her death. Mom faced her final illness with the same grace and dignity that she lived her life and inspired those around her.

Mom was predeceased by her son Patrick, her husband Raymond, her sister Marian and her parents.

Those left to cherish her memory include her four children, Michael, Betsy, Bob (Becky) and Kathy; her grandchildren, Tanner, Jessica and Molly Liu; her brother G.W. Nelson (Rita), God-child Buck Nelson; special niece Georgia Strand; sister-in-law Lucye Nell Buchanan; many Buchanan nieces and nephews, and many loving friends.

Cremation has taken place. Vigil services will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday at noon with private family burial of cremains to follow in Holy Cross Cemetery.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Susan Peterson, Michelle Trost, Annette and staff of west Grand Family Medicine, Dr. Patrick Cobb, Visiting Nurse Service, Hertha Voorhis (First Pharmacy), Dian Ausen, Barb Mitchell, Fr. John and Marian Burton, (St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral).

Should friends desire, memorials in Mom's name may be made to St. Patrick's Building Campaign, c/o St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral, 215 N 31st St., Billings, MT 59101.