Recken, Dolores Heath 83 6/7/1926 3/28/2010 Dolores Heath Recken passed peacefully into the next life March 28, 2010, at her daughter's home, after a long illness. She was born June 7, 1926, the first child of Nathan and Josephine Heath in Ogden, Utah. During her early years she and her family lived in Wendell, Calif., Klamath Falls, and a number of small railroad towns before moving to Portland in 1933. Dolores attended Duniway Elementary and graduated from Washington High School. One of Dolores' first jobs was coloring black-and-white photographs of the ships being built in the Kaiser Shipyards. While working, she met her future husband, Robert L. Recken, in an elevator in downtown Portland. They were married in 1946. Dolores learned the violin and to sing early in life. She was also an accomplished painter, knitter, and cook. She assisted the architect in the design of the home she and her husband built in 1950. During most of her life Dolores enjoyed a night on the town and socializing with friends. Her personality and attractive looks made her the center of attention nearly everywhere she went. While raising her children, she did fashion modeling for Charles F. Berg and Meier & Frank, and later did a number of print ads. After she and Bob divorced in 1970, she managed a number of women's clothing stores and was the receptionist for the Portland Symphony (which later became the Oregon Symphony) and eventually became the receptionist for the corporate offices of Payless Northwest Drug Stores. At the time she started, Payless Drug Headquarters were located in Old Town. Dolores told the story of a transient entering the front door, walking up to her and exclaiming "You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!" and planted a kiss on her lips. He turned and walked out. Unlike most people, Dolores laughed and found it to be a great and funny story. During her retirement Dolores continued her love of reading and crossword puzzles. Her days consisted of completing the daily and New York Times crossword puzzles by mid-morning and then starting in on her books. She often read three or four books a week. She enjoyed arguing politics with her children and was a keen and avid fan of television political talk shows. Dolores will be remembered for her sense of humor, wit, and youthful appearance that lasted for her entire life. She is survived by her children, Stephen (Little Rock, Ark.), Joseph (Anchorage, Alaska), and Roberta (Portland); along with grandchildren, Katie, Michael, and Maria. Her brother, Nathan preceded her in death in 1993. The family gives special thanks to Stephanie and Dionza of Providence Hospice for the tender care they provided Dolores at the end of her life. A memorial has been held. Deposition was by cremation.