Dorothy Elaine (Manley) McMullen was born on December 3, 1908, in Los Angeles, California, the daughter of Frank Luther and Annie Jane (McGuire) Manley. She arrived in Prescott in 1931, and on June 20, 1932, she married Herschel Harvey McMullen. His family had been in continual residence in Prescott since 1917. A highlight of her early life in Prescott was meeting Sharlot Hall and listening to Sharlot read some of her poems.

Dorothy had two children: George Herschel, born in 1937, and Dorothy Elaine "Muffy" (Manley) Vallely, born in 1941. Dorothy had wide-ranging interests and loved participating in every aspect of life.  She was not content to just "belong." She entered into every endeavor with enthusiasm, determination and creative ideas.

As a tailor, seamstress and quilter, her work was outstanding in its delicacy, perfection and originality. As a naturalist, she loved birds, animals and all growing things. She took care to learn and study in order to improve or protect all living things. As a horticulturist, her orchids, roses, dahlias and garden vegetables took many blue ribbons. Year after year the Arizona State Garden Show depended on her.

She became an accredited Rose Show judge with the National Rose Growers Association. As a member of the Prescott Garden Club, she designed the Territorial Women's Memorial Rose Garden at Sharlot Hall Museum.An avid golfer, Dorothy played for thirty-five years and belonged to the Antelope Hills Ladies Golf Association, Women's Golf Association and the Hole-in-One Club at Antelope Hills.

Dorothy was also a member of the following organizations:  Alta Vista Garden Club; National Corsage Club; Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs; Daughters of the Nile; Golden Rule Chapter No. 1, Order of Eastern Star; Mountain Top Quilters Club; and the First Congregational Church.

Dorothy died at her home on February 20, 1996. Her body was cremated, and her ashes were scattered over northern Arizona. She was an outstanding example of what a woman can aspire to and attain with perseverance, hard work, involvement and pride. Dorothy is the embodiment of the pioneer spirit, and as such, has been given a special place as honorary founder of the Territorial Women's Memorial Rose Garden.

Donor: Elizabeth McMullen Bennett
Photo Located: RGC-MS-39, Box M, F-McMullen, Dorothy
Updated: 11/2015, N. Freer