Delores (“Dee”) C. Watrous, 83, of Richland, WA, passed away on February 6, 2017. A fifty-year resident of Richland, Mom was reunited in Heaven with her parents and her sister, Lois.

Born in Saginaw, Michigan in 1933, Dee graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1951, and met Dave Watrous. The couple married January 22, 1955 in Saginaw at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. After Dave left the military, the couple lived in Michigan briefly before moving to Southern California. In 1966 Dave and Dee moved to Richland with their three sons, where they joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. In later years, Dee and Dave joined Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Kennewick.

Dee volunteered for many groups, serving in various capacities at her church, was a Cub Scout leader, volunteered for the Special Olympics of the Tri-Cities, and was one of the first members of ARC of the Tri-Cities. Along with Dave, Dee enjoyed her time as a docent for the CREHST Museum in Richland from 1996-2011. Dee was involved in the founding of the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, was a board member for Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities, served on the board of directors for Lutheran Social Services of Washington from 1979-1987, was the vice president of the Eastern Washington-Idaho Synod of the Lutheran Church from 1987-1995, and served on the board of directors for Shalom Ecumenical Center from 1996-2016. Throughout her life, Dee could always be counted on to pitch in when needed with a smile and hugs for all. In her spare time, Dee enjoyed playing bridge and loved her world travels with Dave.

Dee is survived by Dave, their sons Matt Watrous (LeAnne) of Richland, Dan (Donna) of Sausalito, CA, Steve (Twila), of Moxee, seven grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, her brother Bill (Mary) of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life for Dee Watrous will take place at Kennewick’s Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 640 Columbia Center Blvd., on Saturday, February 25, 2017, at 11:00 am.