Modoc County Record – October 5, 2006 Margot Curtis Margot Curtis passed away at her home in Alturas on September 21, 2006. She was 81 years of age. Margot was born on December 4, 1924, in Paso Robles, CA. Her parents were Robert and Margaret Work who ranched in the San Miguel area. Margot attended Ellis School, a one-room country schoolhouse (now gone) in the San Miguel area. She then attended Paso Robles High School. Upon completion of high school, Margot attended San Luis Obispo Junior College. After two years, she transferred to Pomona College and majored in marine biology. She did work during the summers at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove under the tutelage of Dr. Dixie Lee Ray, later Chair of the Atomic Energy Commission and Governor of Washington. Margot graduated from Pomona at the age of 19. On November 17, 1944, at the Congregational Church in Paso Robles, Margot married John P. Curtis, who she had known since grammar school. John was serving in the U.S. Navy (Pacific Theatre) during World War II. After their marriage, he returned to sea, while Margot took a job as principal and teacher at the Almond Acres Pre-school in San Miguel. When John returned from the service at the end of World War II, he and Margot resided on the Work Ranch in Hog Canyon, where John did the farming for Margot's parents for the next 10 years. In 1954, Margot and John moved into a newly-constructed house on their own ranch in Indian Valley. Margot both designed and prepared the blue prints for the new house. In 1968, Margot and her family bought and operated a cattle ranch on Lemhi Pass outside of Dillon, Montana, which they subsequently sold in 1972. While living in the Dillon area, Margot was an active Girl Scout leader, became an avid golfer, and broadened her art skills through classes at Western Montana College. In 1977, Margot and John moved to Davis Creek where they ranched with their son, Sean Curtis. Margot continued her love of golf by participating in the local women's golf association and pursued the development of her watercolor skills by attending numerous workshops. She loved to enter her artwork and flower arrangements in the Modoc County Fair, winning numerous awards and sweepstakes. In 1986, Margot became the Davis Creek Branch Library Associate and continued in that role until 2005, when she fulfilled her promise to retire when she turned 80 years old. She was an Alturas Library Assistant from 1989 until 1992, and volunteered as an ESL and reading tutor for adults. In 1987, Margot and John retired to Alturas. A life-long artist, Margot began teaching Lassen Community College extension art classes in Alturas in 1990, an activity she continued until last year. She was also an active volunteer at the Art Center in Alturas, where she both exhibited and sold her paintings, sculptures and pottery. In 1994, the building which housed the Art Center, was put up for sale by the previous owner. Fearing that a new owner would evict the Art Center from the building, two of Margot's aunts bought the building. They gradually transferred ownership of the building to her over the ensuing years. Margot is survived by her husband, John P. Curtis of Alturas, CA and her four children: John D. "Jack" Curtis of Martinez, CA; Sean Curtis of Alturas; Mary Curtis of Iowa City, Iowa; and Deirdre Curtis Hill of Cedarville. She has two grandchildren, John Hill and Alice Hill, age 16 of Cedarville. Her sisters and brother also survive her: Roberta Work Turcott of Yakima, WA; Johnita Work Fisher of Lancaster, CA; and George Work of San Miguel, CA. A memorial service for Margot is scheduled for Saturday, October 21 at the Federated Church in Alturas at 11 a.m. Conversation and a potluck luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Photographs and Margot's works of art will be on display. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Art Center, 317 So. Main St., Alturas, CA 96101 or the Friends of the Modoc County Library, at 212 West Third Street, Alturas. Darlene Mary Buffum A Memorial Service for Darlene Mary Buffum will be held Saturday, October 7, at 2 p.m. at the Federated Community Church, 307 East First St. in Alturas. Mrs. Buffum, a 49-year resident of Alturas, passed away on September 26, 2006, in Salem, OR. Darlene Mary Young was born in Modesto, CA, on May 12, 1934, to Hugh and Mary Young. She spent her childhood in Modesto. Following graduation from high school, Darlene met Weston F. Buffum at a local YMCA summer camp and a lifetime partnership was formed. They were married on Nov. 30, 1951 in Modesto and the young couple attended College of the Pacific in Stockton. They moved to Alturas in 1957. Darlene was a wonderful wife, mother and friend. In addition to raising a family, she worked at the Alturas office of the Department of Motor Vehicles and finished her career at Modoc High School in the attendance office. Golf and fishing were her favorite hobbies, although she was also an avid card and game player. Wes and Darlene loved to camp in their travel trailer, and Blue Lake was one of their favorite local destinations. Darlene was preceded in death by her father, mother, and brother, Don Young, all of Modesto, CA. She is survived by her husband Weston, now residing in Salem, OR, her two sons Steven and Jeffrey, daughters-in-law Laura and Linda, and three grandchildren, Matthew, Melanie and Alyxandria.The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Darlene's memory to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Jeannette Gay "Jennie" Welch Jeannette Gay "Jennie" Welch, 65, died at her home in Lakeview, OR on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006 after a gallant and inspirational fight with cancer that was diagnosed in November 2003. She demonstrated a great attitude and was persistent to the very end. Jennie was born to Earl and Lorraine (Papke) Mulkey March 28, 1941 in Sacramento, CA. They moved to Willow Ranch, CA when she was one year old and then to Lakeview when she was four years old. She grew up in Lakeview, where she received her education and was a member of the Lakeview High School Class of 1959. During her high school years she worked for the Marius and Alger theaters and Circle JM drive-in. She married Loy Welch in Lakeview on Nov. 14, 1958. After her children left home she worked for Lakeview TV for five years. Jennie was actively involved in her children's lives and had served as a Cub Scout and Campfire Girls leader. She played the piano and keyboard and was an avid skier and outstanding golfer, winning many tournaments and club championships. She also enjoyed swimming and going to Hawaii. She was preceded in death by her father Earl Mulkey. She leaves behind her loving husband of 47 years, Loy Welch of Lakeview; son and daughter-in-law Keith and Tina Welch of Corvallis, OR; daughter and son-in-law Karen and Rick Dollarhide of Chico, CA; mother Lorraine Mulkey of Lakeview; sister Darlene Samples of Lakeview; grandchildren Jordyn and Chad Dollarhide and Kory Welch; numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Lakeview First Presbyterian Church with a lunch reception following at the Lakeview Elk's Lodge. Interment was in the Sunset Cemetery. Contributions in the memory of Jennie may be made to Fremont Highlanders Ski Club, P.O Box 1204, Lakeview 97630 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Desert Rose Funeral Chapel was in charge of the arrangements. ~~~~~~ Billie C. & Anita 'Jean' Reynolds Family Researcher of "The Last Frontier" Modoc County, California --- Our outgoing mail is checked by ZoneAlarm AntiVirus.