Dorothy Johnstone Hawver, age 94, born February 3, 1928 went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 7, 2022.  She was surrounded by her loving husband Richard of nearly 69 years, her three daughters, Barbara, Nancy and Carol and two of her grandchildren, Ashley Griffith and CJ Larson.

She was born in Milmine, Illinois to Linley Hawver and Ruth Johnstone Hawver. Dorothy was an only child, not just of her parents, but of her father's entire family tree. Her mother Ruth, gave birth to her at age 38 after being told she would not carry children due to a bout with scarlet fever as a WWI nurse. Linley and Ruth met by chance, after Linley found a picture of Ruth with her address on the back at his admirative office during WWI. Linley wrote to Ruth who was so busy writing other service members and she initially did not want to return the letter, until her mother forced the issue of "supporting our troops."

They settled in the small farming community of Milmine, IL where Linley's parents lived behind their home and Linley became the general store owner, postmaster (receiving mail from the railroad across the street) and seed salesman. Ruth was a housewife and church attendee who made the world's best cornbread in a skillet and had a sign in her home that read, "Jesus is the head of the house, the unseen visitor at every meal." Dorothy would become the only heir to the Hawver family farm.

Mom lived through the depression which established her "Scotch" nature for saving money. Her father was a hunter and fisherman and they ate squirrel and fish often. She had a nice childhood with visits to her maternal grandmother's farm and an education where she completed the 8th grade before the 7th. She graduated from high-school one year earlier than normal age so she could stay with her friends. Mom's BFF was Mary (McPherson) Hostetter, who also became her roommate when they attended the University of Illinois together.

Dorothy graduated from The University of Illinois in 1949 and taught English in Dundee, IL for 2 years to fully utilize the college investment that her father encouraged her to put to good use! She was then able to pursue her desired "dream" job as a stewardess with United Airlines, where she trained in Cheyenne, WY and then moved to Denver as her home base.

One late October afternoon, after returning from a United round trip to Washington D.C., with the intention of going out with an FBI agent, a bit of fate and another chance meeting intervened. When Dorothy went to dispatch at Denver's Stapleton Airport to learn the news that the FBI agent had been called out of town, another Illini alumnus was in the office. Dorothy recognized Richard Harvey and approached him by saying, "You don't know me, but I know you!" This line became famous in Harvey legend. Mom knew of Dad because he was heavily involved in student government and was 1 year younger than her in school (since he was not pushed forward).  Dorothy invited Richard to a Halloween party that night and then they drove to Garden of the Gods the next day and hiked to Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park that Sunday.

They were married on May 23,1953 and after a honeymoon in Ashville NC, they began their life together in Denver.  Dorothy taught at Smiley Jr High and helped put Dick (with help from the GI bill) through law school at the University of Denver. They purchased their first home on S Cherry St., just down the street where they were currently living.  Their daughters followed shortly: Barbara Lynn in 1956, Nancy Jo in 1958 and Carol Ann in 1961.

In 1963 they moved to a new subdivision in SE Denver of Hutchinson Hills. Into a house with a wonderful view of the entire front range, so very important to Richard. Dorothy was the consummate 1950/60s housewife and mother. She became the leader of Girl Scout Troop 314, one of the largest in Denver and was also a leader at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, where she and Richard have attended for 67 years. Life was filled with activities including camping, tennis, skiing, golfing and in 1969 they purchased of a property and built a mountain "cabin" in Dillon, CO overlooking the reservoir.

Dottie and Dick were also involved in several couples/family groups where they made many life-long friends; Bridge Club, Bridge and Poker and Harried Housewives.  Many of these friendships included vacations on Ports-of-Call, a private travel organization. Dorothy (by this time mostly Dottie) and Dick traveled to Hawaii, Mexico, Spain, Scandinavia, United Kingdom, Israel, Greece, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.

In fall of 1973, the Harvey family traveled to Europe with the girls missing 6 weeks of the fall semester. It was the family trip of a life-time and the Harvey's collectively caught the travel "bug" and continue this tradition today.

The years passed and the girls went to college. Barb to CU in Boulder, Nancy to The Colorado College in Colorado Springs and Carol to Lewis & Clark in Portland, Oregon. The college years were followed by the first marriage when Barb was just 21 and the last when Carol was 35.

With marriages came grandchildren and great-grandchildren:  Barbara married Chuck Griffith (1954-2016) and had 4 children and 7 grandchildren; Tyler Griffith (Charlie, Paige, Caroline, and Eleanor), Ashley Griffith (Maddie, Johnny) Katie Miller married to Mike Miller (Leon Miller) and Emily Griffith. Nancy married Jonathan Larson in 1992 and had two children; Andrew and Christopher James (CJ) Larson. Carol married James Sampey in 1995 and had three children; James, Rachel and Ryan.

Dorothy was a devoted grandmother including family trips to Cape May, Florida, Grandview Lodge in MN and many extended family trips to Dillon. They both were active in attending baptisms, sporting events, high school and college graduations.  Dottie was also one who would make receiving blankets for all of the grandchildren and many of the great grandchildren.

Dick and Dottie moved to Heritage Eagle Bend in 2000 to fulfill Dad's dream of living on a golf course with a view.  Here, they met many new friends and played numerous rounds of golf. In 2013 they moved to Clermont Park to rejoin many life-long friends in a Christian Living Community.

Dottie was known at Clermont for her deep personal interest in others, especially in providing handmade paper boxes with Ghirardelli chocolates for all birthdays. She was also involved in the singing group Show Stoppers, attended art classes and exercise classes, and enjoyed working on puzzles and playing bridge.  Dottie had many health struggles throughout her final years but never complained and just carried on with great courage, keeping her faith in God, and always reaching for more quality life and fun with her large family.

Mom was truly an angel on earth to many. The Harvey family ended every meeting with a hug and every call with "I love you!", to which Mom would respond "I love you too!" Her family will carry her in our hearts forever and her optimism and personal touch will always remain guiding lights for our family!

Funeral services are tentatively planned for Saturday, June 18, 2022 at 10:00 am at Montview Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80220.  Memorials may be made to Montview Presbyterian Church or American Heart Association in her name.