Dorothy Chaffin Obituary

Dorothy Jean Hayes Chaffin, died at her home in Yellow Jacket, Colorado on the evening of November 23, 2018 at the age of 90. She is survived by her husband Jerry J. Chaffin and her daughter, Katherine L. Chaffin, as well as several dear nieces and nephews. Dorothy was preceded in death by her father and mother, Arthur & Eva Hayes and by her younger sister, Laura Kennedy.

Dorothy was born at home in Mancos, CO on February 5, 1928. Her father was a miner. Her mother was a teacher who taught school in Mancos and surrounding mountain towns for nearly fifty years. Dorothy, a bright student and an avid reader, loved growing up and going to school in Mancos. Throughout her life, she cherished her extended family and many lifelong friends. In July 2009, she enjoyed a perfect day celebrating the Mancos High School Centennial reconnecting with friends, reminiscing about their growing up years and all that had been learned throughout their lives.

After completing two years of study at the University of Northern Colorado, another of Dorothy's wonderful days was the blind date that introduced her to Jerry Chaffin, her future husband. They were married on January 18, 1948 and have celebrated seventy, almost seventy-one, years of happy marriage. They made their home and living on the family farm(s), raising dry land pinto beans and wheat. Farming life was never easy but provided an irreplaceable quality of life. Carrying on her family legacy of education, Dorothy taught in a "one-room school house" in Yellow Jacket in the early years of her marriage and later substitute taught for many years throughout the district.

Continuous learning and being creative was always very important. Over the years, Dorothy became accomplished in numerous pursuits including pottery, stained glass, fiber arts, weaving, calligraphy, piano, guitar, flower arrangement and antique collecting. She helped Jerry grow amazing gardens and her canning pantry was a beauty to behold. She was well-known for her French bread and pie crusts. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Colorado Territorial Daughters. Her life- long dream to travel took her to Europe, Mexico, Canada and coast-to-coast in the USA, plus Hawaii.

Burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Yellow Jacket, Colorado occurred on November 28, 2018. A Tribute to Life will occur at the Cemetery in the Spring of 2019.

A heartfelt Thank You to the wonderful caregivers we were fortunate enough to meet during this journey. We will be forever grateful.