Arita Dickinson Branscom, 86, of Salem and Sweet Home died in her sleep due to complications from pneumonia on July 28, 2009. She was surrounded by her family.
She was born Aug. 28, 1922 in Merritt, B.C., to William and Margie (Cole) Blankenship.
She grew up in logging camps, including Omake and Disatel in Washington, and Kinzua, Talent, Quines Creek and Dollar Camp in Oregon.
Her mother died in 1929 when Arita was in the…