Obituaries: Dorothy Grace Morrison (Oct. 5, 1931 – April 9, 2011)

Dorothy Grace Morrison, age 79, passed away suddenly on April 9, 2011, in Crescent City. She was born on Oct. 5,1931, in Grenada, Calif. Her early childhood was spent living and working on ranches throughout Northern California with her parents, Millard (Mid) and Margery Johnson and her older brother Clair (Bud) Johnson.

Dorothy’s family arrived in Del Norte County in the late 1930s , where they ranched in the Fort Dick area. Dorothy attended local schools and graduated from Del Norte High School. After high school she worked at Bank of America until her marriage in 1953 to Fred Lowell Morrison of Smith River. Dorothy and Fred were the parents of five children. Dorothy always put the care of her family as her highest priority, but she also found time for church activity. She loved her Heavenly Father and her church and community friends dearly.

Dorothy enjoyed learning new skills and working with her hands. She was a basket maker, woodworker, gardener, and ham radio operator. In her later years she learned to quilt and made many lovely quilts for her family. Dorothy and Fred enjoyed collecting family history and working on genealogy together. Dorothy kept in touch with relatives near and far, while collecting and sharing family history.

Family was central to her life and she took particular joy welcoming each new grandchild and great-grandchild.

During her life, Dorothy also worked as a phone operator and as a clerk in a gift shop. She particularly enjoyed her time working at the Paddlewheel Gift Shop where she met many interesting people from all over the country who were visiting Crescent City.

For 53 years of marriage and during Fred’s many illnesses, Dorothy was always at his side to encourage and help him. Fred passed from this life to the next on Feb. 19, 2006. Dorothy looked forward to reuniting with him and other family members when she passed. Her strong faith and conviction was an inspiration to many who knew her.

She is survived by her five children: Sandy Morrison of Brookings, Ore., Dee Morrison of Vancouver, Wash., Rick Morrison and companion Konnie Booth, Bryce Morrison, and JoAnn Morrison, all of Smith River; sister-in-law Joy Johnson of Smith River; 11 grandchildren three great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 14, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wier’s Mortuary chapel.

Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, April 15, 2011, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10th and A Streets, Crescent City. Interment will follow at the IOOF Memorial Cemetery.

The family requests contributions to the LDS Church Missionary Fund or the American Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund (specify local relief fund), 1672 Northcrest Drive, Crescent City, CA 95531 in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are under the Direction of Wier’s Mortuary Chapel, Crescent City.

— Submitted by Wier’s Mortuary Chapel