Dorothy Ellen Mayhugh Turcott's Obituary
Dorothy Ellen Mayhugh Turcott was born October 30, 1941, in LaCygne, Kansas, to Richard and Ruth Mayhugh. She passed away September 07, 2025, in Orem, Utah, at her daughter Kathy’s home, surrounded by family.
She was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Ruth Mayhugh; her husband Henry; sisters Margaret and Ann; brothers Eugene, Ray, Otis, Paul, and John; her grandson’s wife, Makenzie Pranger; and her great-grandson, Boston Jensen.
She is survived by her four children—Marjorie, Kathy, Michael, and Rodney—along with 11 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
As a young girl, Dorothy lived in a house built around 1860. It was made of brick so bullets couldn’t penetrate it, had no foundation, and served as a safe house on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. That connection to history sparked her lifelong interest in the past, especially the Civil War.
When she was four, the family moved to Tempe, Arizona, hoping the climate would help her mother’s health. Her mother passed away when Dorothy was nine. A few years later, they moved to Jefferson, Oregon, where her father began taking the family to the Marion Church.
It was in Jefferson that Dorothy met Henry—the love of her life. They married September 5, 1959, and shared 62 wonderful years together. Over the years, they divided their time between the valley and Central Oregon.
Dorothy loved being outside in the yard and found so much joy in her gardens. No matter where she lived, she always made sure to carve out space for one—sometimes small and simple, other times big enough to keep her busy all season long. She grew vegetables to feed her family and proudly shared the bounty with neighbors, but flowers were her true delight. She especially loved dahlias, planting row after row in every color she could find. Gardening wasn’t just a pastime—it was her passion. It brought her peace, purpose, and happiness, and she poured her heart into every plant she tended. One of her favorite simple pleasures was picking a tomato straight from the vine, slicing it up, and making a fresh tomato sandwich. Her gardens were her masterpiece, and her gift for growing beauty and abundance will always be remembered as one of her greatest skills.
She enjoyed bowling on a league, clipping coupons and sharing how much she saved, and volunteering at the bloodmobile and voting precincts. She also worked at Oregon State University in the food courts and seed lab.
Family was the center of Dorothy’s life. She prayed for her children often and wanted the very best for them. She kept herself busy sewing, crocheting, canning, and caring for her home, while also encouraging her kids to stay active in sports and activities she faithfully attended. She believed keeping children involved in good things was one of the best ways to guide them.
In their later years, Dorothy and Henry made their home in Albany, where they loved spending time with family and friends.
She will be remembered for her love of history, her strong faith in God, her devotion to her family, and her passion for gardening, which brought joy and beauty to many.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
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Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
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