Dorothy Randall

Dorothy Ann Peterson Randall, age 89 of Taos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on May 30th, 2022.

Dorothy was born to Pauline Platt Peterson and Wesley (Pete) Peterson in Denver, Colorado. She had two older brothers, Doug and Del, whom she always followed around, especially if baseball was involved as she was a self-proclaimed tomboy and lifelong fan of the sport. After Dorothy graduated from high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1950, she went on to study Sociology at Smith College in North Hampton, Massachusetts, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1954.

While in college, Dorothy met her husband of 67 years, Charles Randall while visiting her parents in Taos, New Mexico during a Christmas break. Charles and Dorothy had a long-distance romance for more than a year and then married in 1954 when Dorothy returned from college. As a young, married couple, Charles and Dorothy lived at several military bases where Charles was stationed as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. During this time, they lived in Fredericksburg and Stafford, Virginia (Quantico); Surf City, North Carolina; and Laguna Beach, California.  Their eldest daughter, Paula Randall Ervin was born while they were stationed in California and soon thereafter they returned to Taos where both Charles and Dorothy dedicated their careers to the family business, Randall Lumber and Hardware (RLH). At RLH, Dorothy served as the business’ bookkeeper for more than 60 years.

Two years after Paula was born, Dorothy gave birth to David Randall, and then a little over a year later, they had their youngest daughter, Pamela Randall Bland. 

Dorothy and Charles raised their children with a strong sense of community, work ethic, and dedication to family.  They spent many family holidays camping together, visiting loved ones, and reinforcing the bonds of family. Dorothy knew everyone and cared deeply for friends and family. She was known to all for her long, single braid, and love of southwest art and jewelry, and a never-ending commitment to the Town of Taos, its people, and their businesses.

Dorothy was actively involved as a docent for the Millicent Rogers Museum, and she was seminal to the development and growth of the Sangre de Cristo Lutheran Church – serving as their Treasurer and dedicated member from its humble beginnings.

Dorothy also loved to read and listen to all forms of music – although she admittedly claimed she could not carry a tune – she always had music playing. She and Charles also loved to travel – often attending Dorothy’s Smith College reunions, Charles’ military reunions, or exploring historical sites across the country. When she had quiet moments, she would sit in the family sala and watch birds visit their pond, looking them up in her bird book and cultivating flowers to create a welcoming place for them to visit. She had a special affection for the local magpies and loved to see their new babies come into the yard each year, referring to them as “magpuppies”.

Dorothy was also known for her skills at knitting as all those close to her enjoyed the fruits of her labor in the beautiful blankets and/or Christmas stockings she crafted. As a part of her love of history and family, she traced her family genealogy and was a steward of family recipes, developing cherished traditions such as making molasses cakes each Christmas and she was especially known for her spicy chili by all those who had shared a meal with the Randall Clan. In her later years and as she contemplated retirement, Dorothy developed a love of photography and making cards on the computer, using her wonderful sense of humor to pen witty sayings and create fun images that made everyone chuckle. D’s Doodles became her trademark and everyone felt honored to receive one of her creations.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Pauline and Wesley, and her two brothers, Doug and Del, and cousin Millie Grant. She is survived by her husband, Charles, her children, Paula and husband Tom Ervin, David and wife Ann Lake Randall, Pamela and husband, Britt Bland, Krickit Shoemaker and husband, Kent, a special family friend who became like an adopted daughter, and her two grandsons, Logan and Ryan Randall. 

A memorial service to celebrate Dorothy’s life will be held on Saturday July 30, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Rivera Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Dorothy and her family would value your support of the Sangre de Cristo Lutheran Church,116 Dona Ana Dr, Taos, NM  87571; Community Against Violence, 945 Salazar Rd, Taos, NM  87571; Couse – Sharp Historic Site, 146 Kit Carson Rd., Taos, NM  87571 or the Taos Historic Museums, 222 Ledoux St., Taos, NM  87571.

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com