Dorene moved on to the next part of her journey on July 26.

She was a Montana farm girl whose first teaching job was in a one-room school house on an Indian reservation. Before her death she would travel far beyond that reservation to all corners of the world.

After being widowed and left with two young children to raise, before the term 'single-parent' was known, she met and married the love of her life, Emil Bickel. They moved to Seattle in the late 50s where she attended Seattle University and resumed her teaching career for another 30 years in the Highline District. She loved history, traveling, reading, movies, music, dancing and baseball.

She was a legendary shopper who knew a good bargain and was a prolific gift-giver to family and friends. She was a liberal thinker and one who could be counted on to champion the underdog. We always knew where she stood on any subject. In Dorene's memory, her family would like to encourage you to read to a child or shut-in, volunteer at your local school, write elected officials to voice your opinion, and vote. And please don't forget to hug one another.

Dorene is survived by her daughter, Vicki Long of SeaTac, and her son, Robbin (Kim) Geiger of Burien. She will be greatly missed by her two red-headed grandchildren, Taylor Long, Brooklyn N.Y., and Cooper Geiger, Burien. She is also survived by her sister, Lila Ryan, Great Falls, Mont., and brother Jerry (Marjorie) Ditto, Helena, Mont., and by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Dorene's favorite charities: Millionaire Club, Habitat for Humanity, Highline Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

A Memorial service will be held at 1p.m. Thursday, August 9, at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 S.W. 146th St., Burien. Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com.