Del Rita Dussell
Del Rita Dussell will have a private interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Lynden, WA. A memorial service will be set for a later date.
Del Rita Dussell was born in South Dakota on December 15, 1930 to Dwight & Anne Young.
Often complemented on her unusual name, Del Rita was always quick to point out her mother made it up. Del Rita grew up with three sisters; a fourth sister died in infancy.
Thanks to the urging of one of her high school teachers, Del Rita was steered toward banking in her senior year of high school. This would be the catalyst for a lifelong career in the banking industry. Though she started out as a teller, she would end her career 47 years later as the Sr. Mortgage Loan Underwriter for S&L Home Loans in San Jose, CA. Del was active in the Association of Professional Mortgage Women for much of the mortgage end of her career. She not only served as the President for her own chapter, but was also the National Recording Secretary at one time.
In the early 50’s, Del Rita met the man she would later marry. She married Curtis L. Dussell in 1956 and later moved to California with him. They had one daughter, Elizabeth Anne ("Betsy") in 1967. Though Curtis and Del Rita divorced in 1976, they remained friends. Daughter, Betsy, married Nate Lott in 1996 and later moved with them to Washington state in 2001. Del's daughter Betsy owns and operates Mollywood Avian Sanctuary, a parrot refuge. Many of the volunteers there have all kinds of memories of how much time Del Rita spent with all the birds there. Her very favorite remained a Moluccan cockatoo named Morgan. She also had several cats throughout her life. Her most recent indoor cats , Lily and Valentine remain with Betsy and Nate.
Del Rita is survived by her daughter, Betsy Lott of Everson, WA and her son-in-law, Nate Lott of Everson, WA, her sister Beverly Falkenberg in Indiana, her sister Janice Nelson in South Dakota, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Young, father, Dwight Young, and 2 sisters, Maxine P. Pushor and Phyllis Young.
Del Rita Dussell will have a private interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Lynden, WA. A memorial service will be set for a later date.
Memories
From Naomi
Dear Del,
I will sit on the porch next to your chair every time I go to Mollywood, and reflect on the many stories of South Dakota and the wild wonderings of the Black Hills. I continue to adore your mischievous smile and conspiring ways.
Much love always, my friend-
Another motherless child
From Leah
You have had a full life and now at a place of no more suffering or pain. Take care and enjoy a better care free after life.
From Maggie
Del, you pain free and able to soar with all the sweet birds you have helped with over the years. I miss your smile and cheerful greeting. You always had time for everyone who came by to hi. Rest peacefully my dear.
From Vickie Kracht Joseph
To Betsy and family: my sincere condolences in the loss of your mom. She was a wonderful mentor to me during my mortgage loan career at San Francisco Federal. I learned so much from her. She took me under her wing from the get go and never stopped teaching me. I remember with fondness how she held such a special Wedding Shower for me at your home in Willow Glen. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
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