DOROTHY EARLY

DOROTHY EARLY

Dorothy Early passed away on August 26, 2009 at Riverside Convalescent Hospital in Chico, California. When asked how she lived so long she usually proclaimed, "I walked four miles a day for twenty years and I always kept a positive attitude. No drinking or smoking also helped." Just last week she mentioned that her death would be just a matter of "gettin up in years." She was 100 years, 257 days old.

She is survived by her baby sister, DeAne Sheridan of Hesperia, California; her stepson, Ken Early and his wife Jackie of Chanute, Kansas; her son, Jerry and his wife Katy of Chico; a grandson, Jake and his wife Jessie of Tempe, Arizona, and a granddaughter, Bridget, and her fiancé Kai of San Francisco, California. AndŠ a new baby girl, Lucca also of Tempe. Dorothy's first great-grandchild whom she, each day, would ask, "how's that baby?"

Dorothy was born on December 12, 1908 in a sod house on the wheat fields of western Kansas near a little town called Hoxie, which, she liked to describe as a place with, "only one flashing traffic light." She grew up "on the farm" and was a proud graduate of Hoxie High SchoolŠ "Home of the Indians" where she was a basketball player, softball player, but she admitted, "not too good at math."

Dorothy married Harry Early in the mid-1940's (she can't remember the exact date or, even what she wore) but, no matter, she and Harry worked together in

the construction industry, building houses, and motels, until his passing in 1976. She spent the last thirty-two years of her life in Chico so that she could be near her son Jerry and his family. She was an active member of the CARD center, the Bidwell Presybterian Church, and her grandchildren's activities.

Dorothy epitomized the notion that we are here to help each other. She truly accepted everyone and rejected no one. Her kind words, warm demeanor, and incredible sense of humor will live on in everyone with whom she has come in contact.

A private remembrance of Dorothy's life, with friends and family, will be held on the day before her granddaughter's wedding (Bridget) October 2, 2009.

Her wish was that everyone do good deeds and help others rather than sending flowers or gifts in her memory. The family requests that any contributions beyond "helping others" be made to Riverside Convalescent Hospital , 375 Cohasset Road. Chico, CA 95926 and/or to Butte Home-Health Hospice, 10 Constitution Drive, Chico, CA 95973.