Dorothy L. McClain quietly passed away at Regency Hermiston on Oct. 18, 2014 at the age of 95. She was surrounded by loving family at the time of her passing. Dorothy was born May 3, 1919 at Seneca, N.M. She was the seventh of eight children to Henry William & Iva Rosalia (Speaks) Perkins. Dorothy was raised in New Mexico, Kansas and Oklahoma, near the heart of the great dustbowl, which began when she was about 12 years of age.
At the age of 15, Dorothy married Thomas W. (Tom) Florence on Oct. 10, 1934 in Hugoton, Kan. They lived in Kansas and Colorado before settling in Stanfield in 1946. Dorothy and her husband had four children: Bill, Violet, Bob and Doris. In 1947, Tom died suddenly, leaving Dorothy to raise their four children alone. She worked at a small grocery store in Stanfield, turkey farms, and at the Umatilla Army Depot for a time, doing all she could to provide for her young family.
Dorothy’s sons left her life too early, both the result of tragic accidents. William (Bill) was killed in 1965 in an automobile accident in Alaska, while serving in the Army. Robert (Bob) was killed in a construction mishap while putting I-84 through Pendleton.
Dorothy married Avery E. Berry on Oct. 1, 1969. The couple resided in Stanfield until his passing in 1977. When Avery’s health began to fail, she went to work at the Good Samaritan Center to obtain the skills she would need to care for her ailing husband. Later in life she worked at J.R. Simplot’s Hermiston food processing facility.
Dorothy married Virgil A. McClain on June 20, 1992. They resided in Hermiston. Virgil died in 2006. Dorothy continued to reside in the couple’s Hermiston home.
Dorothy was a devout Christian with a strong testimony of Jesus. She attended various area churches throughout her life. She was a wonderful cook, who enjoyed cooking for all who would allow her the opportunity. She also liked to can and preserve foods and was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
She was loved and admired by many. While in the hospital in her last days, Dorothy had five generations of her family rallied around her in the room.
Dorothy is survived by her daughters, Violet R. Rachor of Athena, and Doris A. McGinness of Hermiston. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, and a multitude of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Henry & Iva Perkins; siblings, Myrtle Quimby, Dollie Perkins of Kansas, Stella Sutton, Walter Perkins, Daniel Perkins of Oregon, and Earl Perkins of Washington; three husbands; her sons, William & Robert Florence; one Ggrandson; one great-granddaughter, and one great-grandson.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston. Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Agape House, P.O. Box 1723, Hermiston, OR 97838.
Please send condolences at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
