Dolores Roper

Dolores L. Roper, 87, died November 1, 2017, at her home in La Grande, Oregon. The team at Heart 'N Home Hospice provided her and the family with wonderful, loving care and support through her final days.    A celebration of Dolores's life will be held on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, from 5-8pm at Community Connection of NE Oregon (La Grande Senior Center), and will feature a buffet dinner and live music.

Dolores was born on July 13, 1930, in Monroe, Oregon to Marcus and Lena Susan (Mc Coy) Brittain. Dolores joined an already large family of four brothers and one sister: Chancy, Thelma, Ralph and Thomas (Tom) Conaway, and Francis (Roy) Brittain.

She lived in Sumpter, Oregon and Baker City, Oregon, and held a variety of jobs before getting married, including cooking for logging camps and working as a telephone operator. She was a lifelong learner, an avid reader, and enjoyed poetry and literature. She married Thomas G. Roper September 27, 1952, and they had two daughters, Donnell J. Shariat and Linda S. O'Meara.

Dolores was known as a great cook who could whip up a large meal in no time. She baked the best pies and rolls, and has a few blue ribbons from the Union County Fair to prove it. Her heart and home were always open to others, and one of her proudest moments was when she and her husband Tom were recognized for their years as foster parents in 1986 by then-Governor Vic Atiyeh.

She was an active member of the community, and belonged to many organizations and social groups over the years including the Union County Democrats, United Methodist Women, Union County Historical Society, Red Hat Society, and several bunco groups.

Dolores loved her time as a lay speaker for the Methodist church, and carefully planned out each of her sermons to not only relay information, but to entertain and captivate the audience. She became ordained to perform marriage ceremonies, and proudly officiated at her daughter Linda's wedding last year.

She took up painting in her early seventies, and had a way of making each of her beautiful paintings have a cozy, warm feel, just like her home.

Dolores is survived by her brother Tom Conaway of Durkee, Oregon; her daughters, Donnell J Shariat of Dallas, Texas and Linda O'Meara of Middleton, Idaho; her grandchildren, Lory Sansinena of Boise, Idaho, Ruby Cash of Boise, Idaho, Penny Belyeu of Philomath, Oregon, Hanniel John of Austin, Texas, Jonathan Shariat of San Francisco, California, and Michelle Overmyer of Austin, Texas; and her great-grandchildren, Kacy Mc Leod of Corvallis, Oregon; and Amber, Paige and Kyle Belyeu of Philomath, Oregon; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Lena; her siblings Chancy, Thelma, Ralph, and Roy; her beloved husband, Tom; and her childhood friend Mary Ellen Morin, with whom she shared a birthday.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in memory of Dolores to Haven from Hunger (541-786-FOOD) or the Animal Rescue and Adoption Center of Eastern Oregon/Blue Mountain Humane Association through Tami's Pine Valley Funeral Home PO Box 543 Halfway, Oregon 97834.  On line condolences may be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com

 Service Information