Dorothy Leah Torretta

Dorothy Leah Meiners Torretta was born May 11, 1925, to Evert and Lilian Meiners of Spring Creek Road, east of Walla Walla. She was raised on the family farm and spent countless hours riding her beloved horse Laddie through the fields, from Dixie to Mill Creek and up to the family cabin in the Blue Mountains. She rode to Dixie Grade School on wooden benches lashed into the bed of an old truck driven by a one-legged man who had to manage shifting, braking, and accelerating while driving through all kinds of weather, over mountain roads with a small herd of farm children in the back. Having survived that, she moved into town to live with family friends and attend Walla Walla High School, graduating in 1943. About that time, she met Albert Torretta at a Catholic Youth picnic, and they hit it off. As he joined the Marines and went off to war, she started at the St. Mary’s School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1946. Shortly thereafter, she married Albert, and they began raising their family. Those years included many wonderful times with children Pat, Steve, Mark, Mariann, and John, taking vacations around the West in Aristocraft travel trailers pulled by old Cadillacs. Dorothy returned to nursing for many years, eventually retiring around 1978. She and Albert enjoyed a long, happy retirement until his passing in 2014. In 2019, she moved to Renton to be near her sons and grandchildren.

Through the years, she volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital, Birthright Walla Walla, and so enjoyed working with the St. Mary’s Nursing School alumni. In addition, she was a proud southpaw, loved going out to eat, and the color blue.

She lived graciously, even though the tragedies a life of 97 years is bound to encounter. Throughout, she drew strength and comfort from Jesus through her strong faith. Her life was filled with many dear friends whose influences enriched the entire family. She was a beloved person and wonderful woman, and we all loved her dearly. She passed away quietly on the evening of July 1 and will be sorely missed for her humor, kindness, humbleness, generosity, and guidance.

She is survived by her children, Patrick (Linda), Mark (Kathy), Mariann, John (Kevin); daughter-in-law, Jennifer Shields; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and brother, Donald Meiners. She is preceded in death by children, Paula Leah, Joanne Marie, Monica Lee, James Evert, and Steven Edward; husband, Albert; brother, Gene; and sister, Anna.

A rosary will be held Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at Assumption Catholic Church, with a funeral mass following at 10:30 AM. A private burial will be held at Mountain View Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Assumption Catholic Church in Walla Walla, the Dorothy Torretta Nursing Scholarship at Clark College Foundation ( www.clarkcollegefoundation.org ), or any local Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. Guests may sign the guest book at www.herringgroseclose.com.