DOROTHY LEE DERBY STEVENS ~ Class of 1950
Junw, 14, 1932 - September 27, 2005
Dorothy Lee Derby Stevens, 73, of Richland, passed away September 27, 2005 at home in Richland. She was
born June 14, 1932 in Apache, Oklahoma to Bert and Vella Derby. She was surrounded by a large loving
family and a close-knit group of friends. The family decision to leave Oklahoma when she was a teenager
was not a popular one with Dorothy. She dearly missed those she left behind, especially her cousin and
best friend, Fleta Derby Schultz. You could take the girl out of Oklahoma, but Oklahoma was never far from
the girl. After brief stays in Phoenix, Arizona and Milton-Freewater, Oregon her family settled in
Richland. She graduated in 1950 from Columbia (Richland) High School.
Soon after graduation she met Ralph Earl Stevens at the old Mart in downtown Richland. That initial two-
hour conversation over a coke and cup of coffee evolved into a wonderful 54-year marriage and produced
four close children and nine beautiful grandchildren.
Dorothy loved traveling to Seattle for musical theatre, to the Oregon coast at Cannon Beach, and to Las
Vegas. She loved a good book, stretching with yoga, a good thunderstorm and her Seattle Mariners. But her
greatest interest and love was simply for her husband and family. She was a devoted daughter, sister,
wife, mother and grandma. Dorothy’s unconditional love for her family is her living legacy.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Ralph Stevens; her brothers Don ('53) and Dave Derby; her daughter
Terry ('70) and husband Dave Broussard; her daughter Vella ('71) and husband Mike Duncan ('68);
her son Robert ('74) and special friend Anita Bromley; and her son Mark and wife Pam, all of Richland.
She also leaves her nine beloved grandchildren: Ben Stevens, Jamie and Jorgie Broussard of Los Angeles, CA,
Anna Stevens of Burien, WA, Gayle Duncan of Seattle, WA, Megan and Nora Duncan, Laura Stevens, and
Nick Stevens, all of Richland. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bert and Vella Derby.
Graveside service will be 3:30 PM Saturday, October 1, 2005 at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Richland. In lieu
of flowers, the family suggests a memorial in Dorothy’s name be given to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center
(Attention: Foundation) at 7350 W. Deschutes Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336, or to the Tri-Cities Chaplaincy
Hospice at 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99336.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Fredrick Bowers for his care. They are also grateful to Dr. Thomas Rado and
the compassionate nurses at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. And finally, the family wants to give a
heartfelt thank-you to the staff at Hospice.
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