Dorothy Jean Hamblen

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother, Wife, Aunt, and dear friend, Dorothy Jean Hamblen, passed away Thursday, September 24, 2015. She was 90 years old. Dorothy was born in Goshen, Idaho, December 22, 1924, as the eighth child of 10 children of Christian and Harriet Olsen. She was raised on a farm and lived in Shelley Idaho, Ellensburg, Washington, and graduated from R.A. Long High school in Longview, Washington. After high school, Dorothy moved to Seattle where she began her career as a secretary. She soon met the love of her life, Howard Hamblen who was stationed at Pier 91 in the US Navy in January 1946. They married July 6, 1946 and had a wonderful family. Her daughter Pam and grandchildren Josh, Matt, & Emily feel so grateful she was so much a part of our lives.

Dorothy loved to type, do shorthand, and accounting and put her skills to work as a secretary in many companies including Seattle Mattress Company, Newberry’s Dime store at Northgate, a publishing company, First Seattle Bank, Firstbank Mortgage Co, and finally at the University of Washington Suzzallo Library where she worked for 13 years and retired at age 65.

Dorothy’s life-lifelong hobby was researching her family history. She loved finding her long-lost relatives and the interesting lives that they lived. In her ancestry were many who came across the plains in covered wagons. She and Pam even made a special trip to Denmark and Norway to find dates and stories throughout the many cemeteries there.

Dorothy was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and believed and lived its principles her whole life. Over time she held many positions in the Church - primary teacher, Mutual leader, and of course Relief Society Secretary. But the most important position and the one she loved most was that of wife and mother. Her husband of 28 years was suddenly called to the other side and she was left a widow at age 49. She hated that word, but fulfilled it dutifully. She made lemonade out of lemons by becoming independent and began traveling with the BYU Church sponsored travels. She traveled far and wide going to Scandinavia with Pam to research her Danish roots; Israel (and Eqypt) to learn about where the Savior lived,; and Europe as her husband Howard went on business with Boeing; as well as Church history tours to Nauvoo, Ill & Vermont here in the US. She loved those BYU tours! And her last trip was with Pam a few years ago as the picture on the front depicts her pioneer heritage near the “This is the Place” Monument in Salt Lake City Utah, which is not only headquarters of the Church but the Salt Lake Temple where she and Howard were sealed for time and all eternity in 1969.

Dorothy was not in the best of health over the past few years and missed her sweetheart. We believe she is now reunited with him as well as her parents and 8 siblings who have preceded her in death.

“Dorothy -Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25;21.

Arrangements made through Flintofts Funeral Home and Crematory.

Burial arrangements under the direction of Acacia Memorial Park & Funeral Home.