Dolores Jean Durbin

Dolores Jean Durbin went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 23, 2025. She passed away in Prosser, after valiantly battling numerous health problems over the last 10 years.  She endured it all with the same indomitable spirit that she was well known for until the very end.

She was born on November 30, 1940 in Bremerton, Washington to the previously deceased Homer and Vivian (Myers) Thomas.  She loved growing up by the water with her dearly loved two older sisters and two younger brothers.  She enjoyed camping with her family and being a member of the local campfire girls.  She graduated 9th grade from Dewey Junior High in 1955.  She would often say, “we didn’t have much, but we always had each other.”

The family moved to Sunnyside, Washington when she was 15 years old where she began attending Sunnyside High School, graduating in 1958.  She absolutely loved school and immediately excelled academically and socially involving herself in many activities, clubs, and the making of lifelong friends.  She had aspirations of college and a career in justice but her life would take a different direction as so often happens.  She would, however, continue following local court cases throughout her life, and was an avid fan of all court and crime solving television.

She married Bill Durbin January 7, 1960.  She promised him a date in exchange for fixing her car and the rest is history. They were married for 59 years before he preceded her in death in 2019.  They established a thriving business in Sunnyside for over 40 years and Bill would always say that one of the keys to his success was her willingness to maintain things on the home front and grow their family.  She took great pride in keeping a pristine home and making sure her children had every opportunity that she did not.

Some of her fondest times were annual summer vacations to the Oregon Coast.  She couldn’t wait to taste Mo’s clam chowder and walk the beach.  When she became too unsteady on her own, her grandson would scoop her up and carry her to shore himself so she could still enjoy the sand, the sea, and making memories with her 5 children, their spouses, 15 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. 

Her faith was the anchor she clung to her whole life long.  She began attending the Sunnyside Church of God as a teenager and continued to raise her family there devoting years of selfless service to her congregation.  Dolores and Bill moved to Prosser, Washington after retiring and became members of the Grandview Nazarene Church for the last 15 years.  She treasured the friendships she made there especially enjoying her monthly ladies lunch gathering. 

Dolores set out to “make the world a better place to live in,” and she certainly did that for all she met along the way.  Family, friends, community members, and strangers alike were all met with her quick smile, caring heart, and generous spirit.  There was no one quite like her and she will be greatly missed!

Dolores is also preceded in death by her two sisters Vera (Thomas) Hewitt, and Shirley (Thomas) Barrett.

She is survived by her brother Harry (Carolyn) Thomas; brother Ross (Linda) Thomas; son Mark (Lisa) Durbin; son Matthew (Kathi) Durbin; son Mike (Dana) Navarro; daughter Jodi Durbin; and daughter Jamie (Derek) Van De Wege.

A celebration of life reception will take place on August 16, 2025 2-4 p.m. at the Grandview Nazarene Church.  The family asks that all donations be made to Life Options in Sunnyside, Washington. Those wishing to sign Dolores’ online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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