Dick & Doree Move to Oregon

After 40 years of life together in Whittier, Mom and Dad move to Newberg to be near family.

By Dave

May 12, 2020

I remember how excited we were when we FINALLY talked them into doing it. Our last grandparent had passed away, and they no longer had any immediate family in the Southern California area. Three of us four kids (and associated grandchildren) had moved to Oregon. Sue and Karen had found a perfect house for them (see video on this page) just a block away from Sue & Ken’s house in Newberg. They caved, and told their friends that they were packing up and moving to Oregon. It was 1991.

I remember that our parents were on their way to a Dodger game, with their brand-new cell phone (the size and weight of a brick) in the car, when they called and told us they’d decided to move. We thought that they were a pretty cool couple.

Mom and Dad were active people, and had many, many friends in church and the Whittier community. It was a sad parting on all sides, especially with their friends at church. When I was growing up, Mom and Dad were part of a group at First Friends called “Quaker Couples”. This group had stuck together and I knew them because I went to Sunday School with their kids. Every year in January we spent a weekend with Quaker Couples families playing in the snow at Loch Leven, a big lodge up in the mountains – but that’s a different story.

The Quaker Couples, by that time mostly in their 60s, held a goodbye party for Mom & Dad. Many of them wrote remembrance letters and posed for photos so that Mom & Dad would have an album of memories to take with them. That album is the source of most of the material on this page.

About half of the letters have been reproduced on this page. They provide unique insight into the kind of people my parents were, the kind of relationships they had with their friends at church, and the many, many things that they did for the church and their friends. And they help us (the next generation) to appreciate what Mom and Dad gave up to come live near us.

Also included here are pictures of the friends who wrote the letters, and an article in the church newsletter (front page!) announcing their move.

Click on any photo to enlarge it. 

Letter from Ted and Mary Marshburn

August 10, 1991
Dear Dick and Doree,
The memories are sweet, the times together have been good, we will miss you greatly.

There have been many times you have been helpful along the way. The most vivid are related to Friends Church activities.

Dick, your involvement as clerk on Monthly Meeting, clerk of Trustees, and in Business and Finance Board have been examples of the standard to follow. The fellowship during various activities and events has been fun and enriching.

Doree, the time you and we worked together in Junior Hi Sunday School really enlightened me how you worked so well as a lead teacher. Then there were the years you were Recording Clerk when I was clerk of the meeting. You were most helpful. Now, most recently, as you have clerked Ministry and Oversight and participated on the pastoral committee, your many talents and dedication stand out. And, of course, your excellent work in my office was a great help to me and my staff.

Mary and I have known you two as a couple working together in harmony, dedicated to your family and your church and possessing a “blend” that has made our friendship so meaningful and enjoyable!
This note is written with special love as you move to your new home in Oregon.

Ted & Mary Marshburn

Letters from Esther Gilbert and Jesse Marling

Dear Doree & Dick,
Thank you so much for all the wonderful things you arranged and planned for Senior Sneaks. I truly thank you – you even made it possible for Jesse and I to get acquainted by assigning me to ride in his Suburban and look what happened!! Our big day is August 3rd. Your help in E.Y.C’s has been truly appreciated also.

I didn’t realize you were so good at speaking from the pulpit, Doree, are you sure you haven’t missed your calling?

It will seem strange not to see you Dick, taking your turn collecting the offering and doing so many other duties.

Your new home in Oregon surely seems to be an answer to prayer for you both; it is great to be near one’s children.

First Friends has become a better place because you two have passed this way. Our loss is Oregon’s gain!

Best of everything to you both.
Esther Gilbert

Dear Dick & Doree,
Ditto what Esther has written. It was a pleasure to serve on trustees with you Dick.

I especially appreciated your presence when you came to the hospital and sat with me during one of Helen’s surgeries; I have thought of that many times.

Doree it has been a pleasure to be a part of senior sneaks. Please keep in touch with all of us.

We will forward a photo later, you know, a wedding, etc.

In Christian love,
Jesse (& Esther)

Letter from Charles and Jessie Browning

Dear Dick and Doree,
This is a pleasant task, but the reason for doing it is not! Seriously, we are happy for you that you are going to be near your children and grandchildren, and enjoy a different climate, environment, lifestyle, etc. It is an exciting adventure for you and we certainly wish you well. Our loss is Oregon’s gain, that’s for sure.

You have been a part of First Friends Church ever since we began attending in July, 1958. That is quite a long time. Our first social gathering was a Quaker Couples luau at Gloria and Earl Rice’s. The first time we knew who you were, however, was when the High School Sunday School Department invited parents and others to attend a special presentation in Sharpless basement. Your friendliness and smiling faces made us feel welcome and we felt as if we belonged! Then as time went on, we got to know you both much better and it has been a special friendship through these years. We have enjoyed Quaker Couples’ dinners together, church potlucks and other dinners, special programs, Women’s Society luncheons, and many other activities.

It was fun watching your children grow up, along with ours. You are to be commended for the way they have all turned out to be such fine people. You did it right!

We don’t dare try to mention the many ways you have contributed your time and talents to various church tasks. Some would be omitted, no doubt. But you both have done so much, and with cheerfulness. YOU WILL TRULY BE MISSED.

How can we ever forget that lovely dinner you served us last year before we went to Denmark? The fellowship with you both and Deleen was stimulating and inspirational, to say nothing of the delicious food.

It was a great day for me (Jessie) when my teaching schedule allowed me to attend the early Tuesday morning Bible Study group. Thank you, Doree, for the many times you have led us so well. Your insight into the scripture has been enlightening, and I appreciate it so much.

Again, we wish you well as you go. Don’t forget us. There are quite a few family ties here yet, and we hope you will venture down to S. California occasionally. We will join others in welcoming you with open arms.

Charles and Jessie Browning

Letter from Dick and Jeanne Holst

Dear Dick and Doree,
How can we gather up in a few words all the many and pleasurable and meaningful experiences we have had together with you over the past 40 plus years??

You two are the kind of people who are so giving and loving to everyone you come in contact with in such an unselfish and enthusiastic way, and, as a result, we feel so fortunate that we have had the opportunity in our lives to have been considered among your many friends.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our various associations and interactions with you, both on an individual basis or as a couple. We have worked together on committees and in groups through our church along with some very interesting and unique social events. Memorable times together include seeing some Dodger baseball games (so close to the Dodgers’ dugout we seemed like the players), watching the Russian skaters at the Universal Amphitheater, and the French Circus in Santa Monica, whereby you came all the way from Ventura to be with us. Of course, Dick, the “early morning” tennis detaches will be greatly missed by me (another Dick). And, with your great leadership on the Trustees, we spent many hours trying to keep our church facilities in good condition, and that was especially meaningful to me. Then I, (Jeanne), remember working over the years with you, Doree, on various Women Society projects which resulted in good times along with a feeling of accomplishment.

Our faith and understanding of God, we feel, is very important to each of us, and so, as fellow Christians, we believe this has enhanced our relationship as well as cemented our friendship.

We are certainly going to miss you and we hope that once in awhile you will think of us. There’s no doubt that you will be visiting Whittier from time to time and, hopefully, we will be able to have more good times together. In the meantime, we wish you the very best in your new home and that Oregon will fulfill all your expectations!
Our love,

Dick and Jeanne

Letter from Jay Sponsler

When I first came to Whittier, Jan. 1957, I visited First Friends Church where I met Dick & Doree. These people were a fine example of what our church stands for – warmth, concern for others, and friendship with a capital F. They have always been sincerely interested in me and my family.

They give special attention whenever needed. One time, I was having trouble with my eye. Doree was working at Ted Marshburn’s office. I told Doree of my trouble, and she had me in the office within the hour. As you know Ted’s office is very busy, but Doree could feel my anxiety so she rushed me in to have it checked – taking care of a friend.

To me, Dick has always been a very humble person, always giving of himself. Both of them have always had time to listen! When I went through my divorce they were really there for me to lean on. They gave from their hearts.

I hate to see them leave. I will miss them. As I write this there are tears in my eyes. I wish them much happiness in their new home and hope Jean and I will be able to visit soon.
Your friend,

Jay Sponsler

Letter from Jim and Liz Cradler

Dear Dick & Doree,
As Bob Staley would say, “What can we say about Dick & Doree?”

For starters, we surely will miss you. No two people have contributed more to the life of First Friends than you two. It would be easier to list things you haven’t been involved in that to begin listing all the innumerable positions and activities in which you have so generously shared your talents. At the moment, we can’t think of anything you haven’t been involved in. Our loss will be Newberg’s gain.

On a personal note, we fondly remember walking into Coco’s in Honolulu and who should be there but Dick & Doree! Then the next night we saw a dinner show together – “A Night at the Philippines”, as we recall. Could that have been as long ago as 1973? What happy memories!

We know being closer to your children and grandchildren will bring you much happiness and satisfaction. But please don’t forget us back in Whittier. By the way, we have an extra bedroom which we would be happy for you to use most any time. Just let us know.

Our love and best wishes go with you to your new home.

Jim & Liz Cradler

Letter from Wil and Betty Sargent

Dick & Doree
So many years have come and gone since we first met you both at First Friends Church. We have enjoyed sharing special Church groups, as well as many committees.

We’ve also shared lots of good memories: the Side By Side class, Clerk of Monthly Meeting, USFW/Circle, prayer groups, baseball games at Dodger Stadium, tennis at Palm Park, Senior Sneaks, Finance Board, Church Treasurer, M&O Clerk, Board of Trustees, Teaching Sunday School, Christian Education, Potlucks, Kitchen Chefs, Dish Washers and helpers EYC, drivers of the Van, helping those who had no transportation, and much much more.

Your leaving will certainly create a very large void at First Friends. The combination of your special talents will be missed in so many areas of the church.

We Will Miss You!
Wil and Betty Sargent

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Doree Preaches a Sermon

Before Dick & Doree moved to Oregon in 1991, Doree was given an opportunity to preach the Sunday sermon at First Friends Church in Whittier.

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