Dorene Merle Plechaty

Dorene was born on Christmas Day, 1929 in Los Angeles. She was a bit of a surprise to her parents and as that gift she was protected and deeply loved by her parents Earl and Elsa Cain. She grew up to be a confident, giving mother, wife and friend. She grew up in Alhambra, attended school and church there at the Alhambra Friends Church. Significant at that time was meeting Donald Plechaty, a fellow student and attendee at the church. Although she was known to throw her galoshes at him when they were in school together, they were to grow up and be the loves of their lives, marrying in 1949. A marriage that lasted nearly 70 years. As she grew up, she became an excellent pianist, and had a beautiful singing voice, having done some opera training. She performed at friend's weddings and events. She worked out of high school, and in the early years of marriage, at Pacific Bell in an accounting position. Excellent at detail work, she used those skills all of her life! With the birth of her first born daughter, Debbie in 1953, she dedicated herself to her primary role as mother and wife. They had daughter number 2, Denise, in 1956. During their growing years, she enjoyed using her excellent seamstress skills to make beautiful outfits for her girls and herself. She was an attentive and active mother in their lives, and even the lives of their friends as they grew up. Theirs was the house that kids gathered in. During those nurturing years, Dorene found many ways to volunteer and stay connected to family and friends. She was very active in Camp Fire Girls, she and Don ran a novice swim league for many years, Cal West, and was constantly contributing her skills to school and community activities that the girls were involved in. Always first to volunteer and spend her time in supporting others. She was an especially good partner to Don as he was involved in his community service efforts. Dorene approached her enjoyments in life with great passion and caring. She and Don constantly had dogs as pets, and what a great life they had! She and Don had an enjoyment of cooking together and had a reputation for the place to be for meals. They loved hosting large groups, bringing people together and spending time in the kitchen exploring new recipes. They stretched this love of cooking to the world of Chili Cookoffs. For many years they traveled the states participating in Chili Cookoff events. And they found their ideas of a good recipe were different, so they each competed against each other. The result was Mom winning the Colorado State Chili Cookoff in 1989 with her secret ingredient (we suspect it was a granny smith apple). This took her to the National Chili Cookoff that year supported by Don as her sous chef this time. Other loves were of music and live theater. She and Don spent many evenings going out and the house was always filled with music. She also enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. She was committed to always having a beautiful and welcoming home. A constant for Dorene was to be available and supportive to all around her. The last few years of her life she lived in independent living apartments and she was the first one to greet and help out new residents. She lived long enough to watch her 5 grandchildren grow up, see them become the parents of her 11 great grandchildren and this past year her first great-great grandchild was born. She loved spending time with them all, laughing, talking and sharing family meals. She will be missed by all of them. Plus, the loving family and friends in Colorado and California who created a family of the heart for her over many years. What a rich 93 years she had! We love you Mom! In lieu of flowers, there donations can be made: As a breast cancer survivor, The Breast Cancer Research Center was close to her heart. In honor of Dorene and her great granddaughter, Amelia, another option would be Chromosome 18 Registry and Research. "Loss makes artists of us all as we weave new patterns in the fabric of our lives." Greta Crosby Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Dorene Merle Plechaty

December 25, 1929 - October 17, 2022