Dorothy Jo (Riley) Mackey |
| Posted 2009-02-22 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Saturday, February 14, 2009 Dorothy Jo Mackey, 89, of Phoenix passed away peacefully at her home on Feb. 10, 2009. She was born Sept. 10, 1919, in Hot Springs, Ark., to Charles Elmer and Blanche (Green) Riley. The family moved to Phoenix in 1921, moving in the late '20s to Clarkdale, where her father owned the Clarkdale Laundry, which serviced the Northern Arizona area from the Verde Valley to Flagstaff, and her mother operated Clarkdale Dry Cleaners. She graduated from Arizona State Teacher's College (ASU) in 1939, a time when it was rare for a woman to attain a college education, let alone a degree. Returning to Clarkdale after graduation she worked for Phelps Dodge Corp., where she met the man she would be with for the rest of her life, C.A. Mackey Jr. Dorothy and Mac were married May 25, 1941 and were never separated until his passing in 1998. They moved to Phoenix after the war where they started their family and she was a working mom. She began her long career in the banking industry in 1947 working for Valley National Company. Through many decades she was a woman in a man's business, gaining the respect of her coworkers and customers. She continued her education throughout her career and was active in various Savings and Loan industry organizations, retiring in 1986 as a vice president in one of Arizona's pioneering financial institutions. Her honesty, moxy and ethics were paramount in her daily life in business and at home with her family. She was the definition of organization, crossword puzzles were done in ink and her many counted cross-stitch pieces are family treasures. She attended Encanto Community Church and was an active member of the Optimists Club. She is survived by her daughters Karen Sue Sabo (Ray) and Chris Heffelfinger (Joe); sons Dennis Mackey (Judy) and Rosi and Phil Mackey; brother Charles "Toby" Riley and sister Pat Vanosdel (Wade); grandchildren Dr. Christopher Mackey (Deana), Phil Mackey Jr., Anni (Mackey) Stevens (Shawn), Colin Sabo, Sam Heffelfinger and Wyler Heffelfinger; and great-grandchildren Mason Mackey, Trinity Stevens, Brody Stevens, Sydney Mackey and Sienna Mackey. The family wishes to recognize the loving care Mom received from the staff at Brighton Gardens-Scottsdale and Hospice of the Valley. Memorial services will be held privately. It was Dorothy's wish that any memorial contributions be made to American Diabetes Association P.O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312. Arrangements by Hansen Mortuary in Phoenix. Information provided by survivors. |
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