Dorothy M. Blackwell was born on January 22, 1930 in Aurora, Kansas to Leon and Blanche Desilet Girard. She passed from this life on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at her residence in Aurora,Kansas at the age of 77.  She graduated from Aurora High School. She attended Marymount College and graduated from St. John's Hospital School of Nursing in Salina, KS in 1951. She married Richard Blackwell on June 2, 1952 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Aurora, KS. She was a registered nurse and worked in the clinic and hospital in Concordia. She also worked at various other hospitals. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and the Altar Society in Aurora, KS. She was a member of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Concordia and the Royal Neighbors Club. She was very active in the Aurora community and had a host of friends. She is survived by her husband, Richard of the home; daughters, Sharon Dykes and Hus. Darwin, Concordia and Joan Graves and Hus. Keith, Crete, NE; sons, Stephen Blackwell and wife Jeanie, Lawrence, KS, James Blackwell and wife Beth, Herington, KS and John Blackwell and wife Leslee, Spring Hill, KS; 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Ann; her parents; sisters, Marie Letourneau and an infant sister; brothers, Alphonse, Alpha, Gene Paul and Msgr. Armand Girard. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 14, 2007 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Aurora, Kansas and burial following at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Aurora, Kansas with Rev. Larry Letourneau officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 9 PM, Thursday, September 13, 2007 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home with a Vigil service at 7 PM Thursday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials to St. Peter's Catholic Church or Meadowlark Hospice.