Dorothy Van Camp

Obituary of Dorothy Jean Van Camp

Dorothy Jean Rourke Van Camp Crossed into the loving Grace of her Lord and Savior on February 8, 2011 from complications of vascular disease. She was 93 years old. "Because I could not stop for Death, he kindly stopped for me; the carriage held just ourselves, and immortality." Dorothy was born in Palmer, Mass on June 6, 1918 to Walter Russell and Alma Jean Rourke nee Lauder. Dorothy was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, but spent summers at her Grandmother Lizzie Rourke's home in Wales, Massachusetts. One of her fondest memories of childhood was picking wild blueberries with her Grandma. Dorothy attended college at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst and graduated with a BS in Microbiology in1938. To pay her way through college, Dorothy worked during the summers as a waitress at a kosher resort in the White Mountains of New York. Dorothy joined the WAC in the spring of 1942. While in the Army, she received her training as a Physical Therapist and earned the rank of Second Lieutenant. She was assigned to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver Colorado after completing basic training at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. Dorothy met Raymond William Van Camp, a returning Japanese POW, at Fitzsimmons in 1946; they married that year. They would be happy together until Raymond's death in 2006. Together they raised four children; son Russell, daughters Elisabeth and April, and son Kelley. Dorothy led a life of service to her family, patients and community. She started the Physical Therapy Department and was the only PT at Mercy Hospital in Durango, Colorado in 1949. When Raymond was accepted to Oklahoma State University to complete his Masters in Soil Science, Dorothy worked as a PT in the polio wards at Stillwater Hospital. She would describe that time as the most difficult of her career. Mom was a life-long learner and she returned to college in the 1960's to become a certified teacher. She taught elementary school for many years. Mom always urged her family to continue with college and supported all of her children to finish their educations with her time, encouragement, and money. Mom and Dad lived a life of travel and adventure. In 1965 they took their family and moved to Bangkok, Thailand where they lived for 5 years. They traveled to Europe several times to visit daughter Elisabeth and grandchildren. After retirement, Dorothy and Raymond spent winters in Black Canyon City, Arizona and summers in Bayfield, Colorado. Mom loved the cool summers of Colorado and the warm winters of Arizona. Mom enjoyed a good game of bridge (she was a very good player), brunch with champagne, a mystery and Star Trek. She was a lifelong member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sarah Platt Decker Chapter. She was always ready to listen and to offer kind and tender advice. She is survived by her eldest son W. Russell Van Camp and wife Teri of Spokane, Washington, daughter Elisabeth Van Camp, daughter April Van Camp Gil and husband Manuel of Grand Junction Colorado, son Kelley Van Camp and wife Karen of Las Vegas, Nevada, ten grandchildren ten great-grand children and one great-great grandchild, and her sisters-in-law, Adeline Van Camp Becay of Durango, Colorado and Jean Van Camp Balderston of Montrose, Colorado. The Van Camp family wishes to thank JoJo and Josefina for their kindness, respect, and devotion to our beloved mother. We could not have done this without you. We also wish to thank the St. Rose Hospice angels of mercy and patience; Donna, Michael and Ellie, our Mom's spiritual guide, Sister Janet. Finally, to Karen Koepsell; we thank you so much for all you did for Mom and for us. You will fondly be remembered in our hearts. "For Angels walk among us. This I know to be true. They touch us, and care for us, and are the Vanguard of God's love." Angels, every one. Dorothy Jean Van Camp; Mother, Healer, Soldier, Teacher, Friend. They walk together now along the shining river. Soft mountain rain falls and the pines whisper gentle, sweet songs of home. Her passing leaves a heartache that cannot be healed; her love leaves a memory that will not fade. A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 29 at 2:00 PM at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan Blvd., Boulder City.
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