Dorothy R. Parkening

Dorothy Richardson Parkening got her long-awaited wish to go to “her home upstairs” on Thursday, April 21, 2016, at the age of 102. She was born December 1, 1913, in Skiatook, Oklahoma, the middle daughter of H.R. “Dick” and Zetta Richardson. Her two sisters, Thelma Sherriff and Mildred Misenheimer predeceased her.

Dorothy married Lloyd Parkening at East Side Christian Church May 1, 1936. They lived in Oklahoma and numerous towns in Texas during his years with Sinclair Oil. They returned to Tulsa in 1960, to their mid-town home they purchased in 1938. Lloyd preceded her in death February 1, 1970. Dorothy worked as a secretary until her retirement. She stayed active gardening, traveling to Texas and California visiting relatives, and driving herself to water aerobics class three days a week until she was 98 years old.

Dorothy was a member of East Side Christian Church and enjoyed CWF Sewing Circle 6 and Homebuilders’ class friendships.

Dorothy and Lloyd are survived by their son, Bill Parkening (wife Linda), daughter Donna Goudelock (husband Kieth), three grandchildren, six great grandchildren, three nieces and a nephew.

The family would like to graciously thank Dr. Steve Gawey for decades of wonderful care, and also the compassionate staffs at University Village Assisted Living, Tulsa Jewish Health Care Center and Miller Hospice.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral service.

Dorothy had this marked in a “Final Wishes” file: “If you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you.”