Dorothea June O'Rourke, age 88 of Richland, beloved Mother and friend, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at Kadlec Medical Center.

Dorothea June Prescott was born January 9, 1917 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Guy and Laura Prescott. She had an older brother Don. She went to school in Minneapolis and graduated from Washburn High School in 1934. We heard many stories, over the years, about walking to school in waist high snow. She started working for the Telephone Company, AT&T, while she attended College classes.

She met the love of her life, James W. O'Rourke, and they were married October 22, 1941. Jim was employed by Dupont and in 1943 transferred to Hanford. He rented a basement apartment in Pasco until the new Richland homes were completed. He then sent for Dorothea and new daughter to become part of the ''new pioneers'' at Hanford. Many life long friendships were formed as everyone was away from their families. After living in a large metropolitan City all her life, she had a hard time adjusting to the desert. ' Because of war rationing and lack of Department stores she couldn't even get her daughter a pair of white shoes for Easter. '

In 1948 they had an opportunity to move to a brand new larger home, by the Columbia River, to accommodate the growing family. Little did she know then that she would be the last original resident on Harris Av.

She was a homemaker for many years, an excellent cook and loved to bake and try new recipes. She loved to read cookbooks for ideas and watch Emeril Live on the Food Network every night, even up to last week. She had a major green thumb and could make anything grow. Fresh vine ripened tomatoes and other vegetables from the garden, the houseplants and flowers that were always growing inside and outside are a wonderful memory. Fortunately, she passed her green thumb on to all her children. She loved all animals and faithfully fed her squirrels and birds every day.

After raising 4 children, she went back to school to prepare herself to rejoin the workforce. For 20 years she worked in different locations at Hanford. The majority of the time was spent in Document Control at the Federal Building. At the young age of 71, she finally decided to retire.

As her late retirement shows, she was an active person always keeping busy. For years she walked 2 miles a day, 5 days a week on the walking path by the River which she loved. She also belonged to 3 Bridgeclubs, which was another thing she loved, and she cherished the friendships she had with the girls. She always came home excited, you'd think she'd won the lottery, when she won High prize $1.00.

Even at her age, she was not intimidated by new technology and owned her own computer complete with scanner and printer. She gave Hallmark some competition by making all of her own greeting cards. She sent and received many Emails and even did her own taxes.

She enjoyed a long and exceptionally healthy life partially due to her health conscious life style. Everyone thought she was at least 20 years younger than her age and we thought she was going to live to be 100. Then last July we were devastated with the news that she had Stomach Cancer. Being the brave courageous person that she was she chose to not take it lying down. Even at her age, she elected to have the surgery to remove the Cancer. It was worse than they thought and they ended up having to remove her whole stomach and more. Then she started the long recovery, initially unable to walk. She worked hard every day going to Physical Therapy at the Life Care Center of Richland. With the help and guidance of the caring staff: she was able to get stronger and walk on her own again, allowing her to come home. We enjoyed Thanksgiving, Christmas and her 88th Birthday with her. About 2 weeks ago she started getting weaker and we lost our dear loving Mother on Tuesday morning. She will be missed very much.

She was one of the original members of Christ the King Catholic Church in Richland. A member of the Altar Society, and for many years worked at the Sausagefest.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband James W., and youngest son James F.

Dorothea is survived by her loving children, daughter, Kathie Method of Santa Cruz, Ca.; sons, Michael and Garrett Mary Lou all of Richland; and many dear friends.

The Family would like to thank Dr. Stuart Freeman and staff for their help and support, and Dr. Steven Kincaid, who gave us an extra 8 months to enjoy her. We would also like to thank the wonderful nurses at Kadlec Medical Center and the kind, caring and dedicated staff at the Life Care Center of Richland. They all treated her so well.

The Rosary will be recited Tuesday, March 22, 2005, at 3:00p.m. at Einan's Funeral Home, 915 By-Pass Highway, Richland.

Viewing will be Tuesday, March 22, 2005, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Einan's Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ The King Catholic Church, 1126 Long Av., Richland. Graveside services will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland.