Dorene B. Bickel
December 1, 1924 - July 26, 2007
Obituary
Dorene B. BICKEL
Dorene moved on to the next part of her journey on July 26th.
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 50’s 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, SeaTac, and her son, Robbin Kim Geiger, Burien. She will be greatly missed by her two red-headed grandchildren, Taylor Long, Brooklyn NY and Cooper Geiger, Burien. She is also survived by her sister, Lila Ryan, Great Falls, MT and brother Jerry Marjorie Ditto, Helena, MT, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Dorene’s favorite charities: Millionair Club, Habitat for Humanity, Highline Hospice or a charity of your choice.
Memorial service 1:00 PM Thursday, August 9, 2007 at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 SW 146th Street, Burien. Please sign the online memorial guestbook at www.bonneywatson.com.
Remembering an amazing woman who lived her life wonderfully with great kindness, enthusiasm, fabulous sense of humor and joy.
Thank you Dorene-
God bless you, Dorene. You will be missed. And thank you for raising such a wonderful daughter. I will miss seeing you at the 5th Avenue.
She was simply the Best.
A wonderful Mother and giving friend to all. Thank you.
After working with Dorene for 16 years at Riverton Heights, classy is the one word I would use to describe her. My prayers are with her family.
Going to miss Dorene as we have been together for 51 years. So many good memories.
Doreen will certainly be missed. I looked forward to seeing her at our People Parties. She was so positive and had such good sense of humor. Love, Jacque
So sorry to lose such a lady who played an important role in my life. So will be missed by all.
Bill Fyfe
In Memory of a great lady, Gloria Jobs
It’s been years. Lots of them. She was my 2nd grade teacher in 1990. In fact…my favorite. I always remember the upright piano in the classroom and her playing the marches. So fun and so sweet. I wish every kid had someone like her to influence them. I’m now a 42 year old kid that still thinks about her often. Hats off to Heaven for snagging another good one!