Dorothea "Dotty" Mae Edwards

Dorothea was born in Aberdeen, Washington on December 11, 1933 to Dorothy Pearson Gustofson and Oscar Gustofson, who later separated. She was the granddaughter of John C. Pearson, the first judge of the territory of Grays Harbor.

Dotty grew up in North Aberdeen, with her two brothers and a sister. She explored woods and climbed trees. She attended schools in Aberdeen, and upon graduating in 1951 she moved to Spokane, Washington to live with her Aunt Martha, who was part owner of some merry-go-rounds. Dotty ran the merry-go-rounds for two summers while she visited with her aunt. She also attended Eastern Washington College in business administration for one year.

She met her future husband, Ray, while running the merry-go-round, and they married in Spokane on June 14, 1953. They had three children, Robert Lee, Kay Marie (deceased), and Richard Dean. They moved to Seattle where Ray attended the University of Washington, and eventually moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon where Ray worked in the insurance industry. Dotty stayed home to care for their three children.

In her forties, Dotty returned to college to become an RN. She worked at Emanuel Hospital for 20 years. She retired after a knee injury that she got while skiing. She was a very accomplished gardener, and was known in the neighborhood for the beautiful landscaping in their yard.

She will be remembered by her husband of nearly 70 years, Ray Edwards; two sons, Robert and Richard; 7 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.youngsfuneralhome.org for the Edwards family.