Person:Dorothy Denton (2)

From Society News, May 5, 1985, Relief Society, Cardiff California Ward, Carlsbad California Stake, Editor Ruth Anderson. (Note Kevin Clark edited this to make corrections to a few minor details and dates)

We knew you, Mystery Sister In our Father's realm above: Memory vanished through the veil... But, lingers still our love.

Some week end trips can make quite a difference! Today's Mystery Sister was born in Blackwell, Oklahoma (instead of Howard, Kansas, where the family lived and she grew up, because her mother was visiting there for the week end. Her father was an oil producer and cattle rancher and her mother and brother still live in Kansas; and in their motor home she and husband have taken their many children back home to visit in Kansas (via Salt Lake City).

During school our mystery sister was active in 4H, was a cheerleader, and junior and senior class president. She majored in art (needlework, stitchery, crafts) minored in education and social science at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University), graduating in three years, so she could marry her childhood sweetheart. Then she taught 3rd grade in Kansas City while her husband attended medical school.

After medical school, the Airforce brought the couple to Edwards Air Force Base, from which they came to this area about 27 years ago. 3 boys and 3 girls joined their family. She was den mother for 9 years, and worked in Campfire, and the PTA for 18 years, receiving the Wakan and Gullick Leadership awards from Campfire, and the PTA Life membership award in 1966.

Since the marriage ended in 1970 our Mystery Sister has done substitute teaching (K-12) in Oceanside, and paper recycling, which was instrumental in her meeting Joe. Shortly before her baptism (In a night school ceramics class she met and was fellowshipped by Marge Gadzia - who is now on a mission to Palermo, Italy - and joined the church in 1974), she was collecting newspapers from a convalescent home, where Joe was recovering from back surgery. (She though he was one of a few mental patients, so avoided him.) To his question of what she was doing with the newspaper she replied that the Bishop's Storehouse bought them. He asked where the Church was located, was there the next Sunday and in 3 weeks he was teaching the Spanish Speaking Gospel Essentials Class. (He is from Puerto Rico.)

She reversed her first intention, "If I ever marry again it will be for money, one with good health and no children." In September 1976 she, Joe and his two daughters were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. Since then one daughter served a mission in Perth, Australia, graduated from BYU and both are sealed in the Los Angeles Temple. Also her youngest son, though living with his non-member father, was fellowshipped by a high school teacher, Bro. Morris in Del Mar Ward: joined the church in 1980, served in the Italy Rome Mission (82-83) and is now attending BYU.

Her oldest son is married has a 1 1/2 year old son, works in Lexington, Kentucky for "Intervarsity helping young people change life styles and learn of Christ." Another son is married, lives in Carlsbad and works in drywall. Her oldest daughter is a professional model and manicurist at "Perfect 10" in Encinitas; her second daughter lives in Crescent City. The youngest is married, has a year old daughter, and is an assistant lab technician her in San Dieguito Medical Center.

Since 1976 she and Joe have cared for 3 boys and 3 girls in their home through the California Continuing Care Service. Though she does not speak Spanish, she was Primary President for the Spanish Branch. In future she would like to travel and hopes she and Joe can go on a mission together anywhere: Nauvoo would be ideal, but it will probably be a Spanish Speaking area, because of Joe's fluent Spanish. We are proud of your strength and accomplishments, & know Heavenly Father loves you too! Answer to Mystery Sister: Dorothy Pagan.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/03/05/obituaries/3_4_0620_37_56.txt' Dorothy PaganLEANDER, TEXAS -- Dorothy Jeanette Pagan passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2005, at Breckenridge Hospital, Austin, Texas. She was 76 years of age and a long time resident of Encinitas, Calif.Dorothy was born on Feb. 28, 1929, at Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Guy V. and Gladys V. (Morgan) Denton. She grew up in Howard, Kan., and graduated from Oklahoma A&M in Stillwater, Okla.Dorothy married Charles E. Clark in 1950, and together they raised their six children, Marye, Chris, Martha, Melissa, Alan and Kevin in Encinitas, California. They were divorced in 1969.Dorothy married Jose Pagan on September 11, 1976, and added two step-daughters, Shirley and Joanne to her family. Joe preceded her in death in 2002, shortly after their 25th wedding anniversary.Dorothy and Joe were foster-care parents for the state of California for several developmentally disabled youth and retired to Kansas in 1988. They were active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and kept busy with the American Legion as well as delivering Friendship Meals. Dorothy moved to Leander, Texas, in 2003 to be near her family.Dorothy is survived by her six children, Marye Carroll of Round Rock, Texas, Charles (Chris) Clark of Los Gatos; Martha Clark of Leander, Texas, Melissa Arribere of Encinitas, Alan Clark of Salem, Ore., and Kevin Clark of Cedar Park, Texas; two step-daughters, Shirley Hansen of Stockton and Joanne McColm of Pleasanton; and 17 grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and her brother, Guy M. Denton.A memorial service was held December 15, 2005, in Cedar Park, Texas, and a graveside service is planned for March 11, at 2:30 p.m. at Eternal Hills in Oceanside.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Boys and Girls State c/o Mrs. Gleneva Winn, P.O. Box 202, Howard, KS 67349.

1.   Lois Morgan, Elk City, Kansas. Elk County Forum, Howard Courant Citizen Transcription. (Elk County Forum http://www.cascity.com/howard/forum/index.php).