Dorothy Constance Godwin

Dorothy Constance Schultz was born in Chicago, Illinois to parents Arthur Otto and Clara Margaret (Langbein) Schultz on April 12th, 1933. Dorothy was sister to Art, Jean, Russell, and George. She grew up in Chicago and where she graduated from high school. She attended nursing school in Illinois, received a degree in nursing and went on to serve as a registered nurse.

In the early 1960’s, Dorothy and her young family moved out west where they lived briefly in Tujunga, California and Jacksonville, Oregon where she continued serving as a registered nurse. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to the Beaverton, Oregon area for the next 30 years.

Dorothy was blessed with four children. She was mother to sons Bobby, Thomas, and Earl and to daughter Peggy.

When she and her young family first settled in Beaverton, Dorothy went to work for Tektronix. At Tektronix, Dorothy began as a coil winder at the Barnes Sunset Hills facility near Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, OR. Dorothy was promoted from coil winder to a position in manufacturing and assembly, and ultimately achieved the title of manufacturing manager at their main campus. Dorothy worked at Tektronix for 30 years and she was very proud of her many years of service. She enjoyed the projects she had the privilege to be a part of over the years and the many special relationships that she had with her coworkers during that time.

1992, Dorothy retired from Tektronix and she moved from Beaverton to Ocean Beach, Washington on the Long Beach Peninsula. In Ocean Park, Dorothy involved herself in many forms of volunteer work and enjoyed that time immensely. Even in retirement, she stayed active, busy and fulfilled. She volunteered her time at Peninsula Senior Center in Ocean Park, the local food bank, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She also enjoyed selling Avon to all the ladies in her community where Dorothy made many close friends that she cared deeply for and looked after. She cherished those relationships so much and enjoyed her life there.

First and foremost, Dorothy will be remembered as a survivor. She was a woman with limitless determination and incredible resiliency. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes early in life and Dorothy kept that disease at bay her entire life – she was very proud of that fact. She faced many other serious health challenges as well. In 1992, Dorothy was diagnosed with leukemia – the doctors gave her 2 years to live. She survived another 20 years beyond that predicted timeline. During that time, complications from leukemia, Dorothy suffered congestive heart failure, a stroke and kidney failure. Dorothy told her family, friends and doctors frequently that she was going to "live to be 102 years old!" Dorothy was resolved to doing things her way. It was her mission to live life according to her rules and not let her health issues control her life’s path.

Dorothy will also be remembered for her deep concern and true care for others and it has been said that she always put others needs ahead of her own. Dorothy was always there in support of the neighbor or friend in need and was always willing to lend a helping hand and help others. Dorothy loved her family and she made a point to maintain contact and stay in touch with her children and siblings. She was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, and friend and she will missed so much.

Dorothy is predeceased by her parents Arthur and Clara; and brother Art Schultz; her husband, Daniel Godwin, who passed away in April 1990.

Survivors include her sons, Bobby VanPelt (USNRET) (Tina) of Aloha, OR, Thomas Ransom of Aloha, OR, and Earl Ransom of Klipsan, Washington; daughter, Peggy Evans (Mark) of Tualatin, OR; sister, Jean Kratunis of Fox Lake, IL; brothers, Russell Schultz (USMCRET) of Barstow, CA, and George Schultz of Burbank, California; grandchildren, Angelique (Angel) Scott of Gresham, OR, and Shannon Dupee of Hillsboro, OR; and great-grandchildren, Quincy and Danika Dupee of Hillsboro, Oregon. Dorothy is also survived by her partner of the last 18 years, John Miller; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many friends.

Dorothy will be privately laid to rest next to her husband, Daniel Godwin in Skyline Memorial Gardens in the Garden of the Last Supper.

Remembrances may be made in lieu of flowers to American Diabetes Association or to American Heart Association.

Please visit the guestbook portion of this site and enter a special message or memory. Thank you.

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd, Portland, Oregon, (503) 292-6611.