Dolores Jean Hawthorn, 80

Dolores Jean Hawthorn, of Rathdrum, entered into Heaven on Feb. 5, 2013.

Dee, as she was known to all, was born in Ames, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1932, to Gail and Percy Fletcher. She was raised with her older sister, Charlotte. She married John Hawthorn in 1949. They settled in Santa Cruz, Calif., in 1952. They had three children together, Philip, Sean and Jodi. Upon divorcing in 1971, Dee remained with the children in Santa Cruz. She retired from the Santa Cruz School District in 2000. She moved to Post Falls in 2004 to be near her daughter, Jodi. She moved into Generations Assisted Living and Wellness in 2010, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Dee was a very loving, giving person. She was a “neighborhood mother” and always had a soft spot for helping people. She loved animals, especially cats, and was known to feed the local raccoons, opossum and skunks on her back porch! Dee loved to walk everywhere, rain or shine. She was a huge fan of movies, books and the game, Skipbo. She had the largest sense of humor, and loved her racy jokes. She simply was the best mother and friend.

Dee is survived by her daughter, Jodi, son-in-law Jeff and grandchildren, Hannah and Gage Peterson of Rathdrum; son Sean, daughter-in-law Martina and grandchildren, Justin, Devin, Hailey Hawthorn and Wesley Koenig of Scotts Valley, Calif.; daughter-in-law Peggy and grandchildren, Tyler, Ivy and Lark Hawthorn of Sedro Woolley, Wash.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews; and family members of the heart.

Dee is preceded in death by her son, Philip John Hawthorn; grandson Steele Jamison Peterson and sister Charlotte Woody.

Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, at Generations Assisted Living and Wellness, 13400 N. Meyer Road, Rathdrum. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to Alzheimer’s Association or Humane Society.

The family would like to extend their love and gratitude to the entire staff of Generations for providing a final home for our mother, full of love, compassion and dignity.