Jordonna Dores, 74

Jordonna Diane Dores, 74, was born Kathy Blend on Feb. 14, 1952, in Palo Alto, California. She lived a vibrant life shaped by reinvention, relationships, curiosity, and love. She was warm and welcoming, deeply interested in people from all walks of life, and had a special gift for creating meaningful connections wherever she went.

Jordonna grew up in California's Bay Area as the second of five siblings and attended Gunn High School in Palo Alto. As a young adult and throughout her life, she embraced the spirit of the 1970s.  She was free-spirited, strong-minded, open-hearted, and always searching. She lived briefly in Vermont and Washington state before settling in Zenia, California, where she began her motherhood journey with the birth of her first daughter, Laurel Makayla. Two years later, her daughter Amelia Star was born.

She then moved to Southern California, where she met Michael Dores. They married in 1988 and built a life together rooted in love, partnership, and community. They later moved to Montana’s Flathead Valley, a beautiful place that captured both Mike and Jordonna’s hearts. For the past 22 years, Jordonna and Mike escaped the Montana winters to their second home in Morro Bay, California, where they built close, long-lasting friendships.

Jordonna helped Mike manage their company, Merlin Information Services, while still sharing her time and talents throughout the Flathead Valley. She volunteered with hospice and the Bigfork Guitar Festival. She also played a significant role in the fundraising efforts for a new Bigfork library, a new wheelchair accessible campsite and dock at Yellow Bay State Park and many other local causes. 

In retirement, Jordonna’s creativity flourished. She loved mosaics, rock art and paper art, especially handmade cards. Her art was personal, her way of reaching out and saying, “I thought of you. I made this for you. You matter.”

One of the best examples of Jordonna’s generosity was in the way she gathered people. For many years, she hosted an annual holiday party in the Flathead Valley, inviting those without family nearby to make sure no one would feel forgotten or alone. She loved hosting her grandchildren, Andrew and Lindsey, for grandparents’ summer camp in Montana, creating memories full of adventure, love and new experiences. She treasured her circle of friends and nurtured those friendships with warmth and openness.

Jordonna firmly believed in the vast connection of the universe and in all of us as interconnected beings, transcending time and space. That belief was fitting for a woman whose life was so deeply rooted in relationships — to her family, friends and community.

Those of us who loved Jordonna knew her as a bright light — funny, curious, generous, creative and deeply connected to the people and world around her. She will be lovingly remembered and missed beyond words.

There will be a gathering later this summer at one of Jordonna’s favorite places, the Swanderosa on the Swan River in Bigfork. If you are interested in attending, please send an email to jds_gathering@icloud.com to be added to the list.