Chef Dorne Webster

Please join us in bidding a fond farewell to Dorne Webster, who died of a heart attack Jan. 31 in Denver. His family and friends were shocked by his unexpected passing after 22 months battling tongue and lymph-node cancer. Dorne died peacefully in his beautiful new apartment with Beatrice, his E-bike, at the foot of his bed.

Dorne recently returned to Colorado, where he was born Sept. 30, 1965. He moved into the STEP home for sober men in February 2023. Their dental program discovered his tongue cancer and referred him to Swedish Hospital Oncology, where he underwent extensive surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. From there, he moved into a chronic care facility where he befriended an exceptional nurse and support staff who spent 471 days healing him. His family and friends remain inspired by his remarkable bravery and upbeat attitude. Dorne’s recovery earned him independence at The Argyle assisted living facility in September 2025.

Dorne found his calling as a chef early in life, from teenage line cook grilling turkey legs at the Colorado Renaissance Festival to chef at starred restaurants in Colorado and Hawaii. Along the way, he earned his culinary arts degree, worked as an executive chef, and finished his career in the owner’s box at Coors Field.

Dorne moved to the Key Peninsula in 2010. He loved life on the beautiful KP. He opened his own catering business and demoed recipes at the farmers market. Dorne was the executive chef at Easter Seals Camp Stand by Me. He delighted in mentoring the young international staff as they met the culinary challenges of campers with special needs. After COVID temporarily closed the camp, he returned to Colorado.

Dorne is survived by his daughter, the love of his life Drielle (Jacob Backus); father Denzil Inman (Diane); mother Danna (Gordon); sister Gemma (Kevin Tolley); brother Drew (Rebecca); nephews Charlie and William; niece Tabitha Tolley; Aunt Penny Aune; and cousins in Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, and Washington. He was richly blessed with friends from many states and nations.

He leaves a legacy of two years of a sober, brave warrior, awesome chef, great friend, wickedly funny, and a loving family man.

In memory of Dorne, the family donated to Deserving Dental of Colorado, the nonprofit service that saved his life.