Dorothy Jean Torrey

Dorothy Torrey

Dorothy Torrey, 77, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO, on Friday, April 4, 2014. She had been admitted earlier in the week after suffering a stroke.

Dorothy Jean (Morris) Torrey was born in Lucerne, MO, on February 14, 1937, the daughter of Olin S. and Laverna (Kellison) Morris, who preceded her in death.  She grew up in Putnam County and graduated from Unionville High School in 1955.  On December 30, 1955 she married Kenneth Torrey in Independence, MO, and he preceded her in death on August 17, 2011.

Dorothy and Kenneth began married life in Kansas City and then moved to Denver, CO, for a brief time before returning to Putnam County where they were engaged in farming.  Dorothy was a devoted farmer’s wife, raising a big garden and canning the produce.  She also helped Kenneth with the farm work in addition to raising their two daughters.  In 1971 Dorothy began working at the Dairy Lane and then worked at the Putnam County Care Center for over 30 years as a dietary aide.  She and Kenneth moved to Unionville in 1993.

Dorothy liked to garden and raise flowers.  She was an active volunteer at the Putnam County Historical Society, the Putnam County Hospital Auxiliary and the Putnam County Care Center. Dorothy’s faith and her church were important to her; she taught Sunday School at the Grant Street Church of Christ in Unionville for many years.  Dorothy enjoyed traveling to St. Joseph the week before she died to listen to her granddaughter play cello in the Middle School concert.

Dorothy Torrey is survived by two daughters, Cindy Torrey of Gladstone, MO, and Joyce Lochhead and her husband David of St. Joseph, MO.  Her granddaughter is Jennifer Lochhead.  Dorothy’s surviving sister is Lucy Hulen of Lathrop, MO, and her brother is Milford Morris and his wife Jean of Lee’s Summit, MO.  A brother-in-law, Frank Torrey and his wife Paula of Edwardsville, KS, and a sister-in-law Karen Torrey of Unionville, MO, also survive as well as several nieces and nephews.

Others who preceded Dorothy in death are sisters Helen Collins, Mary Lea, and Nora Gray.  A brother, Emmit Morris, also preceded her in death.

Funeral Services for Dorothy Torrey will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 2:00 pm with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be at  the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Putnam County Historical Society and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.