Dorothy Ower Jordan

Dorothy Esther (Ower) Jordan, 95, was born February 17, 1918 to George S. and Ina E. (Turner) Ower in Zion, Illinois. She died at Las Fuentes Care Center in Prescott, Arizona on March 11, 2013. . Mrs. Jordan was almost a native of Prescott, having moved here in the 40’s. After attending school in Zion, Illinois, and graduation from Waukegan Township High School in Waukegan, Illinois, she married Harold E. Jordan in 1937 in Zion. She worked for the Zion Industries as a secretary. Later after moving to Michigan City, Indiana, she was employed again as a secretary for Society Silk Lingerie Company. It was while they lived in Indiana that their daughter, Jeanne was born. When Illness of her husband forced a move to a drier climate, they moved to Prescott, Arizona in June of 1947. Dorothy was a stay-at-home Mom and was active in school activities with their daughter. She served as a room mother, was President of the PTA at Washington School and also served as a Bluebird and Camp Fire Girl Leader. The family were members of the Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and also served as pianist for Bible School and Vacation Bible School. During this period, she helped her husband construct their home on their 16 acres located about a mile south of the airport. In 1956, she returned to the work force, working for many years as the secretary at Washington School. She later was a secretary for the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. She finished her 23 years of employment for the Prescott Unified School District there. She helped her husband with his automotive repair business, Harold’s Auto Repair, where she served as bookkeeper for many years. Later, she and her husband were active members of the United Congregational Church. Dorothy also was an active member of the Prescott Toastmistress Club where she won many awards. She was also an active member of both the Arizona and National Association of Educational Secretaries. She was a lifetime member of the Elk Ladies of Prescott, where she served as pianist for many years. She was also a life-time member of the Washington School PTA. Her greatest love was her family. She was proud of her husband and daughter, Jeanne and her husband, Charlie. The highlight of her life occurred with the arrival of her granddaughters, Dorothy (Dottie) in 1964 and Ronda Kathryn in 1966. She always viewed them with a special love and wanted the best for them. After retirement, she and her husband traveled extensively. They also joined the M-Y Camper Club. They lived part of the year in Deserts Edge R-V Park in Deer Valley. In 1987, she and Harold celebrated their 50th anniversary in Prescott with a reception at the Congregational Church. For several years after her husbands’ death in 1991, Dorothy split her time between her regular home and the winter R.V. home in Deer Valley. It was there, she met Allan Linquist who was to become her companion for many years. In 1999, she sold the out-of-town property and moved into a home next to her daughter in Prescott. She has been interviewed for the archives at Sharlot Hall Museum as a long-time Prescott resident. Dorothy is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Charles Roth of Prescott, her granddaughters, Dorothy L. (Dottie) Roth of Phoenix and Ronda K. Kimberly of Chino Valley; her nephew, Robert C. Ower of Chino Valley and her niece, Genevra Ower of Zion, Illinois as well as numerous great nieces and great nephews. She is also survived by many friends. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Harold; her parents, George and Ina Ower; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Roy and Louise Ower and Robert L. and Estella Ower.

Service:
A memorial service for Dorothy is at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at First Congregational Church, 216 E. Gurley St. in Prescott. A private burial will take place at Heritage Memorial Park Cemetery in Dewey.