Dorothy E. (Seiter) Puryear passed away Jan. 19, 2012, after coping with Parkinson's disease and congestive heart failure for many years. She was an in-patient at Odyssey Hospice, Peoria, Ariz., for her final days, where she received excellent palliative care.

Dorothy was born in Spokane to Edgar and Gladys Seiter on March 8, 1924. She attended public schools in Post Falls, where her father Edgar owned and managed Seiter's Inc. Cannery. She was a graduate of Washington State University and taught Home Economics in the public schools of Chelan, Rockford and Central Valley, Wash. She was a Methodist Church Sunday School teacher in Hermiston, Ore., and taught Home Economics in Eureka, Calif., for 20 years.

She was a worldwide traveler and an avid snow skier, which took her to many of the world's ski resorts. She was a member of The Far West Club and the Humboldt Ski Club. Dorothy enjoyed the "Snowbird lifestyle" - winters at the Happy Trails Golf and RV Resort and summers at Priest Lake.

She was an active participant in the Happy Trails Stitchery Club, the Quilting Club and participated in water aerobic exercises for many years. She also enjoyed the Sun City Concert Band.

Dorothy was also a Weight Watchers leader, Power Company home demo agent, County Fair judge, member of the AAUW and taught tailoring at the College of the Redwoods in California.

She received extensive treatment and Medicare Health Services from Banner Del Webb Hospital ER and Acute Rehab, Arizona Home Health Care Inc., Arrowhead Home Health Care Inc. and Amedisys Inc.

Help also came from Arizona Area Agency on Aging, Surprise Fire Department, Bene Villa Home Delivered Meals and the SCW Parkinson's Support Group headed by Earhardt Buck.

She is survived by Dudley, her husband of 65 years; children William and Elizabeth; grandchildren Andy, Jeremy, Bryce and Ciara; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister Helen and predeceased by sister Lois.

Her remains will be interred at the Arizona Veterans National Memorial Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, 2012, at the Happy Trails Resort, NC 2, in Surprise, Ariz. Memorial donations may be made to the Banner Sun Health Research Institute.