Dorothy Lee (Bruce) Chaney

Dorothy Lee (Bruce) Chaney was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on March 3, 1932, the daughter of Forrest Lyman Bruce and Zula Zong Dack Bruce. She attended elementary school, Jr. High and High School in Coffeyville. While in high school, she met her future husband, George L. Chaney, whom she married on May 31, 1952. Together they had 4 children: Chris, Brenda, Curt and Craig. Dorothy and George also loved their daughters-in-law and their son-in-law: Kala (married to Chris), Rex (married to Brenda), Lisa (married to Curt) and Krista (married to Craig.) Their 4 children, together with their spouses, gave Dorothy and George 11 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

Dorothy earned her Bachelors’ Degree from Kansas State Teachers’ College in Pittsburg and her Masters’ Degree in Counseling from Emporia State Teachers’ College. Dorothy made a positive impact in the lives of many young people in Ottawa. She spent her professional career in the Ottawa school system. She taught several different elementary grade levels; teaching art and penmanship also. Later, she was an elementary school counselor and then a middle school counselor.

Dorothy loved to play the piano. She had a baby grand piano that George had bought for her when they were young parents living in Pittsburg, Kansas. It is still in her living room in the house she and George built together in Ottawa. Dorothy was also creative and artistic in other ways; always painting and doing different craft projects. Dorothy was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and was involved there is many ways. She was also a member of Chapter AU of P.E.O. During the time George was teaching in the math department at Ottawa University and for some time after his retirement, she was a leader in the local organization for university women.

Both Dorothy and George were cremated. There will be a private family gathering to celebrate her life later in the spring. If you would like to leave a memorial in her honor, Dorothy selected Westminster Presbyterian Church or Prairie Paws Animal Shelter.

Dorothy’s life was a life well-lived in devotion to her faith in God and the love for her husband, children and grandchildren. She had many friends. She will be greatly missed by many.