Dorothy (Simon) Eccher

Dorothy (Simon) Eccher was released from her earthly bonds and passed peacefully on August 17, 2026, leaving behind the story of a remarkable life lived with tenacity, tenderness, and a generous spirit.

Dorothy was born March 14, 1934, in Durango, Colorado, to Steve Simon and Mercedes Roracher. Her early years were spent on the Florida Mesa, where she worked alongside her family ranching, farming, and processing meat at Basin Pack. She was active in 4-H and graduated from Durango H.S. in 1952. In 1954, she married Sam Eccher of Silverton, and the couple eventually made their home in Denver, Colorado, where they raised their three children. In the early 1990s, Dorothy returned to Durango and to the family ranch, where she spent more than 30 years caring for the homestead, the cattle and the family legacy she treasured so deeply.

During her Denver years, Dorothy was known as Dottie. She was a loving wife and mother, a tireless worker, and a true matriarch. She gave herself fully to her family and was devoted to giving her children every opportunity she could—education, sports, art, music, theater, culture, gourmet food, travel, and the confidence to pursue their own passions. Dottie was a magnificent cook, known for homemade gourmet meals, unforgettable desserts, epic birthday cakes, and holiday tables filled with abundance and care. Friends often encouraged her to open a restaurant, and her children’s friends always wanted to eat at the Eccher house in the Sherrelwood neighborhood. Her days were filled with volunteer work and involvement at Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School, bridge club and infinite trips back to Durango to stay connected with family and friends.

When Dorothy returned to the family ranch, she brought with her an extraordinary combination of grit and gentleness. She worked tirelessly to renovate the homestead, keep the ranch viable, and create a nourishing place where friends and family could visit and “get away from it all”. Through strength, determination, and a dash of stubbornness, she and her brother, Paul, were able to keep the ranch together and live out their later years on the land that shaped them. There was even a standing family joke that every calf born on the ranch received a kiss on the nose from Dorothy, a perfect reflection of the tenderness she brought to even the hardest work. At the same time, Dorothy had a rare sensitivity to others. She seemed to know what people needed before they said it, and she was forever helping, baking, encouraging, and offering a strong shoulder.

Dorothy leaves a legacy of resilience, kindness, generosity, and wholehearted love toward family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike. She gave freely of her time, money, empathy, food, and attention, often without thinking of the cost to herself. Whatever she did, she did with her own special flair. As hard as she worked, she was always game for an adventure, a trip, or a memorable experience, and she had a gift for pausing long enough to take in the specialness of the moment with gratitude and appreciation. She loved flowers and sending and receiving greeting cards for all occasions— more small expressions of the thoughtfulness that defined her life.

In lieu of flowers or contributions to a specific charity, the family kindly asks that you honor Dorothy with an act of kindness and generosity: help someone in need, host a party for no special reason, share a cup of coffee, call a friend, go to lunch, send a card or bouquet, make a special dessert. (Whiskey punch and Crème Brûlée were Dorothy’s favorites.) The family would be grateful for you to share how you celebrated Dorothy/Dottie’s memory by visiting her online obituary and posting in the guestbook located on the Hood Mortuary Obituaries web page.

The family extends sincere gratitude to the staff at The Gardens on Quail Memory Care Facility and Bloom Hospice in Arvada, Colorado, for the care and support Dottie and her family have received over the past several years.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Paul Simon; and numerous extended family members. She is survived by her sons, Steve Eccher and Rudy Eccher; her daughter, Marietta Linney [Keith]; and two grandsons, Hayes and Gates Linney. Private graveside services were held at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango, Colorado.