Doreen “Dody” Mae Black passed peacefully surrounded by family on January 11, 2026. She was 95 years old. Dody lived a long and fulfilling life dedicated to family and friends. She loved hearing stories and updates from all those who cared about her, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dody was loved by all who met her. She was a lifelong Christian and spread joy whenever she could.
Dody was born on March 3, 1930 in Taft, California to Dorothy Bailey and Robert Rigney. She had one sibling, Patricia. In 1938 Dorothy married Floyd Roberts, who adopted Dody and Patricia. In 1936 another sister was born, Averill Roberts. The three sisters grew up in various parts of the country, as Floyd was a Navy Man. Dody lived in many parts of the country including Washington D.C., New York and Hawaii. After her father left the service, the family moved back to Montague. The three sisters all graduated from Yreka High School, Dody graduating in 1948. Doreen was one of many members of the Bailey and Cullen families of Siskiyou County.
Throughout her life, Dody enjoyed gardening and flowers. She had many large gardens and canned most of the bounty. She was known for her love of food and cooking skills. She was always feeding whomever came in the door. She was skilled at cleaning fish and small game. She knew the names of most flowers and plants and loved tending them. She loved picking blackberries and mushrooms. She was proud of her record in never picking a poisonous mushroom. Dody also enjoyed the outdoors. Later in her life she hiked the Marble Mountains and Klamath Forest. In her 70’s she hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She also cross-country skied and taught any of her nieces and nephews who wanted to learn. A particular joy was salmon fishing on the coast during the summers. All the salmon caught was canned and shared with others. Dody was always excited when the fish were biting and was known to grab a pole out of others hands!
Dody lived and worked in Yreka for 65 years. She was a bookkeeper and worked at Crocker Bank, Bank of America, Cooley and Pollard, Siskiyou Stockyards and Black’s Appliances. Dody was a good friend of the Black family for many years. Later, she and Del Black were married. They spent 24 years together, traveling in their RV, fishing and enjoying life until his death in 2009.
In 2013, Dody moved from Yreka to Sheridan Wyoming to be with her son, Mitch Reed. From 2015 until her passing, she lived in Fair Oaks, with her nieces Lori Burgess-Watkins and Holly Burgess.
Dody is survived by her son Mitch Reed (Sandy), her grandchildren Andrea Stimson (Kevin), Scott Reed (Darlyne), Lauren Black (Laura) Leslie Black (Marielka) Lyna Black (Jeff), her great grandchildren Faith Stimson, Bailey Reed, Casey Reed, Maddie Reed, Elijah Black, Ari Black, Jaden Earl and Sage Earl, sister Averill Roberts Stanley (Barry), nieces and nephews Lori-Burgess Watkins (Chuck), Holly Burgess (Jeff Murray), Paul Burgess, Kelley Conway (Paul), great-nephews Nathan Watkins (Leanne), Zachary Rabinowitz (Robyn). Dody was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law Pat and Gene Burgess, nephews Sam Burgess and Chris Griffin and her husband, Del Black.
A celebration of life will be held in Yreka on May 2, 2026.
