Recently, our school worked on research projects for the Middle Years Program. Our eighth graders worked on a living history project. One of the projects students created was a timeline about a person they interviewed. It included at least ten global threshold events and ten personal events about the person they picked. Since I thought it was a great idea, I completed a timeline too about my mom Dorothy Allen.

Timeline for
Dorothy Marie Allen

1929 – The Great Depression

The Great Depression began in 1929 when the stock market collapsed. It was the worst economic disaster that ever occurred in the United States, and it eventually impacted nations around the world.

1930 – The Dust Bowl

The Dust Bowl began in 1935 due to drought and dry farming methods. In Colorado, the Dust Bowl hit southeastern Colorado the hardest. Some farmers lost their homes during this time. Some of these farmers were relocated in Montrose and Delta Counties in Colorado, especially along the California Mesa in Delta County.

1933 – The Holocaust

The Holocaust was the German-sponsored genocide of European Jews in Europe. It began in 1933 with forced evacuation and progressed to death camps. It ended in 1945.

1933 – The New Deal

The New Deal was established by Franklin D. Roosevelt to help struggling Americans. In Colorado, the New Deal also helped struggling farmers In addition, it provided jobs that many so desperately needed. It also created the Colorado National Monument, the Red Rocks Amphitheater, and so much more.

1933 – Dorothy Marie Allen – Birth

Dorothy Marie Allen was born on January 3, 1934, in Lazear, Colorado. Her parents were Tom and Elva Allen. She was raised on the family ranch on Roger’s Mesa just outside of the town of Hotchkiss. She had an older sister, Barbara. When she was in her teens, her mother gave birth to her younger sister, Janice.

1936 – The Hoover Dam

Construction of the Hoover Dam began in 1930 and was completed in 1936. It was built in the Black Canyon on the Colorado River on the border of Nevada and Arizona. It was one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. It is used for domestic water, agriculture, and hydroelectric power. Dotty was two years old when the dam was completed.

1939 – World War II

World War II began as Hitler began his invasion of Poland in September 1939. Hitler wanted to expand Germany’s
territory and achieve power. Dotty was five years old.

1941 – The Pearl Harbor Attack

The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7, 1941. Over 2400 civilians and military personnel were killed in this attack. The Japanese destroyed over 180 airplanes and destroyed or damaged numerous ships. Dotty was seven years old.

1945 – Victory Day

Victory Day was celebrated on August 14, 1945, once Japan officially surrendered and World War II came to an end. Dotty
was eleven years old.

1950 – The Korean War

The Korean War began when North Korea invaded South Korea. It became a global event when the Soviet Union began to advise and supply North Korea. The United Nations and the United States sided with South Korea. Later China joined forces with North Korea. In July 1953 the war ended; however, both nations remained hostile to one another. Dotty was sixteen when the war started.

1952 – Graduation

Dorothy Marie Allen graduated from Hotchkiss High School in 1952. Her school mascot was the Bulldog. She was eighteen years old.

1953 – The Move to Alameda, California

When she was nineteen years old, she began working as a telephone operator in Oakland, California. She moved from Hotchkiss, Colorado to Alameda, California.

1955 – The Vietnam War

North Vietnam wanted to create a single country that would rule under a communist dictatorship. The United States became involved to limit the spread of communism.

1956 – Meeting Her Future Husband

After a vacation at her childhood home in Colorado, Dotty was returning to Alameda. When she climbed on the bus, Harold Reeder helped her with her luggage, and she sat next to him on the ride to California.

1960 – Marriage

Dotty Allen married Harold Reeder on May 27, 1960, in Oakland California. She laughed when she told this story because
while listening to the radio, it played “Get Me to the Church on Time.”

1961 – Birth of Ann Marie

The couple moved to Seattle when Harold was stationed at Ft. Lewis in 1960. In 1961, they had a daughter, Ann
Marie, and Harold was then stationed at Ft Carson, Colorado.

1963 – Birth of Tommy Wilson

Harold left the military and the family moved to Hotchkiss, Colorado. Dotty left the Telephone Company and became a
stay-at-home mom. Tommy was born in Delta on August 21, 1963.

1964 – Return to Alameda, California

Dotty and her family moved back to Alameda, California. Their first home was on San Antonio Avenue. Later the family moved to Lincoln Avenue. They lived there until 1979.

1965 – Birth of David LeRoy

Dotty continued to care for her family, and on June 3, 1965, she had another son. David LeRoy was added to her brood.

1968 – Birth of Keith Allen

Dotty watched over her growing family and created so many wonderful memories for her children. She was the neighborhood mom and the neighborhood children flocked to her home. In 1968, she gave birth to Keith Allen on Jan 4, 1968.

1970 – Birth of Daniel Harold

Dotty made life in her home so much fun. She also had one more son. On January 3, 1970, she had Daniel Harold. This little guy was born on her birthday, and when he was older, Danny told everyone that he was her birthday present.

1979 – Canon City, Colorado

In 1979, Dotty and Harold filed for divorce. She and three of her sons moved to Canon City, Colorado. For a time she worked as a switchboard operator, and later she worked for Mongomery Wards and Goodwill. Eventually, she bought her first home on Greenwood Avenue in Canon City.

1981 – The Arrival of Grandchildren

In 1981, Dotty became a grandmother, and she was the grammie that spoiled her babies. Her first grandchild was Leslie. Over the years, she collected more and added Leroy, Trista, Alan, Brandon, Stephen, Amanda, Samantha, and Coleton.

2006 – Death of Dotty Allen Reeder

On March 6, 2006, this remarkable woman left this world. I don’t believe she really knew the impact she had on
those she left behind. She is missed beyond measure.