Dorothy Dale Connor

Dorothy Dale Walley was born in Brooklyn, Mississippi on April 28, 1922. Her uncle, Homer Walley, raised Dorothy along with his two children, Loyal and Juanita, in Chicago. Dorothy, known affectionately as "Dottie", served in the Army during WWII. She was swept off her feet by a dashing young soldier whom she met when she missed the bus back to her barracks. The young soldier's name was Henry David Connor, known by all as "Dave". Less than two weeks after this first meeting, they were married on August 4, 1944a union that lasted 63 years until Dave's passing little more than a year ago in January, 2008. Unable to have children of their own, they waited many months and waded through endless red tape to adopt two young boys from Korea with the assistance of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They became parents in June, 1956 when their new sons, Danny and Eugene, finally arrived. Shortly after, the family moved from New Mexico to their new home in Phoenix. Dottie's life was devoted to Dave and in raising her boys. Both Dave and Dottie were very active in the Phoenix Seventh-day Adventist Church and formed lifelong friendships with other families. In order to be home for her sons while Dave worked during the day, Dottie worked the night shift at the State Hospital in Phoenix. Dave and Dottie first visited the Heber/Overgaard area in the early 1970's and immediately decided it would be their escape from the Phoenix heat and their retirement home. In keeping with their conservative values, they had their home built over a five year period as they saved enough to complete and pay for each phase. Dave took early retirement in 1978 and they have been residents ever since. Dottie's life was one of determination and purpose. Hers was never a life of ease, but one of self-sacrifice for her family. Once her sons were grown, her attention turned exclusively to being the companion and soul mate for Dave. Her life's mission complete, she passed away February 3, 2009, and was laid to rest beside her husband in Show Low, Arizona. Dottie is survived by her two sons, James (Dan) and Eugene (Gene) Connor; daughters-in-law, Sue Connor, Debra Connor, and Darleen Connor; five grandchildren, Brian Connor, Becky Bruza and husband Michael Bruza, Melanie Fadley and husband Chris Fadley, Scott Connor, Michael Connor and wife Brandy Connor; two great-granddaughters, Lilah and Isabella Bruza; a brother, Loyal Walley. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dave; her mother, Ellen and her sister, Juanita. In lieu of flowers, her family suggests that donations in her memory be made to RTA Hospice, 1789 W. Commerce Drive, Lakeside, AZ 85929. Graveside service will be held 2:30 P.M. Saturday, February 7, 2008 at the Show Low Cemetery, Show Low, Arizona.