Dorothy Rivord

Dorothy was born January 9, 1936, in Marquette, a daughter of Joseph and Ina (Wessels) Santamore. She grew up on the family farm in Little Lake where she picked potatoes, selling them for a nickel a basket, picking blueberries, and helping with chores on the farm. She attended school in Marquette where she met her future husband, Alsid Rivord. For a time, Dorothy worked with her mother at St. Luke’s Hospital. On August 29, 1953, Dorothy was united in marriage to Al and together they made their first home in Marquette on Wright Street, where they began raising a family. Following her marriage, Dorothy balanced her roles of wife, mother, and homemaker with working outside the home as a housekeeper for several physicians. In 1966, the family relocated to Negaunee Township where Al had recently built the family home on Midway Drive. Throughout the years, Dorothy and Al shared many happy times together. They enjoyed fishing and spent many hours on the family boat fishing on Lake Superior and taking many trips to Stannard Rock. During one of their fishing excursions, Dorothy caught the largest fish ever caught while on the family boat. Incidentally, she fished, caught, cleaned, and cooked fish, but never developed a fondness for eating them. Dorothy and Al enjoyed the outdoors and all that nature had to offer. Many trips were taken on snowmobiles and other trips with their Gold Wing Club motorcycle friends. An avid bowler, Dorothy belonged to several bowling teams over the years and had 300 score games to her credit, and also belonged to the 500 Club. At home, she was a talented cook and baker, well known for her potato salad, homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and baked beans. She loved her family, especially the grandkids, and is remembered for her loving, caring, and extremely patient nature. She was an angel!

Dorothy is survived by her children, Michael (Julie) Rivord, Vicky (James) Beltrame, and Joseph (Cindy) Rivord; her grandchildren, McKayla (Tim Rundstrom) Rivord, Maddison Rivord, Michelle (Andy) Lusardi, James (Stephanie Fredrickson) Beltrame, Jr., Kristi (Ray) Maki, Mark (Lori) Rivord, and Eric (Jessica) Rivord; great-grandchildren, Preston and Zack Maki, and Haley Rivord. Also surviving is a sister, Annabelle Mayers; numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Al in 2020; and siblings, Joseph, Raymond, Erma, Lucille, Beatrice, and Ina May.

The family has chosen to honor Dorothy’s memory privately.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of the Marquette County Medical Care Facility, especially Dorothy’s friend and caregiver, Laura Morcom, for their compassionate and professional care of Dorothy and for the many kindnesses they extended to the family.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.