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 second grade at Kinzua.
Her freshman year of high school was at Grants Pass. Her remaining high school years were at Sweet Home, where she graduated in 1940.
She worked at White’s Café, picked hops, worked at Holley Store, clerked for Fairview Grade School, was helpmate to two husbands, a mother and grandmother.
She married Paul Dickinson on Nov. 7, 1944 just before he shipped out for the Philippines campaign.
They made their home in the Sweet Home and Fairview communities, where they farmed and Mr. Dickinson worked in the logging industry. Later they traveled full time in their Airstream trailer.
They settled in Salem a year before Mr. Dickinson’s death in 1980. In 1988, she married Art Branscom. He preceded her in death in 1998.
In 2003, she returned to Sweet Home to be with her daughter, JoAnn. She entered assisted living in Salem in 2006 to be near her daughter, Paula.
She also was preceded in death by her father, Bill Blankenship in 1975; her brother, Elvin (Wade); and grandsons, Brian and Adam Partridge.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Susan Dickinson of Newport; daughter and son-in-law, Paula and Rob Lauderdale of Salem; daughter and son-in-law, JoAnn and Ed Partridge of Sweet Home; brother, Wess Blankenship of Klamath Falls; half-sister, Tina Johnston of Roseburg; stepmother, Lelah Abbott of Talent; seven grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
Golden Funeral Home of Salem handled the arrangements.
A graveside memorial service was held at Gilliland Cemetery on Aug. 1.
The family greatly appreciates care given by Hospice Northwest and the staff of Tiara Rose assisted living community.