Dorothy Mary (Scott) Gough

Dorothy Mary (Scott) Gough, formerly of Wilder, ID, was born Dec. 17, 1939, to Hugh and Dorothy Scott of Jordan Valley, OR. She was the youngest of seven children.

Dorothy was raised in Jordan Valley, where she attended J.V. Elementary and graduated J.V. High School. During her school years she was active in many committees, sports (especially volleyball) and her biggest passion, riding horses and rodeos.

Following high school, she was employed at the J.V. Cafe, where she would meet the love of her life, Patrick Needham. The story goes Dorothy saw him out the window of the cafe across the street at the Conoco gas station, turned and told a friend whom she worked with, “that’s the man I’m going to marry!”

Dorothy and Patrick were married in 1960, and made their home in Vale, OR, where they owned and operated a construction company. Being a farm girl, Dorothy could operate a backhoe to a bulldozer! Their son, Thomas Patrick, was born Jan. 20, 1961, and their daughter Dorothy Jean (Spooky) was born Jan. 26, 1965.

Several years later Dorothy would face the loss of her daughter Dorothy (Spooky) in 1966, and her husband Patrick in 1967.

She and Thomas then moved to Boise, where they lived with her sister Aileen Scott, and became employed at Morrison Knudsen. It was during this time she would meet Bud Rhodes.

Dorothy and Bud eventually married and lived in Eagle, ID. During their time together, Dorothy and Bud became involved in horse racing with her dad Hugh Scott. They did quite well through the years, and did this while Dorothy was employed at Morrison Knudsen and Bud a long-haul truck driver. She would eventually leave her job to care for Bud, who fell ill with cancer and passed away in 2001. They had many years of happiness.

Dorothy would go on to meet her current husband John Gough while employed for the Meridian School District as a bus driver.

In her usual manner of meeting, she went up behind John, smacked him with a newspaper, then apologized. John found that amusing and invited her to breakfast. They were married in 2005!

Dorothy and John moved to their 20-acre farm where they raised cattle, goats, chickens, a cat or two, and dogs! She loved her dogs. John very much-loved Dorothy and the time they had together, and the memories they shared!

Dorothy was a lady full of spit fire to all that knew her. She had a firm belief in God and was strong in her faith.

Dorothy was surrounded by her loving husband John, her son Thomas, and family when she passed away Aug. 1st, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Dorothy Jean (Spooky), her husband Patrick Needham, 2nd husband Bud Rhodes, parents Hugh and Dorothy Scott, (sisters) Maxine (Scott) Telleria, Aileen Scott, Elizabeth Betty Scott, Theresa (Scott) Maher. (brothers) Gilbert Scott, and Henry Scott.

Dorothy is survived by her husband John Gough, her son and daughter in law Thomas and Debbie Needham, Grandchildren, Christopher Needham, Patrick Needham, Kimberly Needham, Sarah (Needham) Kelley, and husband Tyler Kelley. Great grandchildren, Avery Needham, Rylee Needham, and Paxton Kelley.

Services will be held at Holy Apostles Catholic Church, 6300 N. Meridian Rd., Meridian, ID 83646. August 27, 2026. A Rosary will begin at 10:00 A.M., Funeral Mass 11:00 A.M. with a luncheon following.

From Thomas, “you weren’t the perfect mom, but you were the perfect mom for me....”

Dorothy was truly loved and will be missed!

May the perpetual light shine upon her!