Anna Belle Dalton

She was born on October 5, 1918 in Detroit Michigan to Bertha and Joseph Gowdy. In the 1920’s she and her Brother Ray moved to the family farm in Texas to be with her Grandmother and uncles while her mother worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. Upon reaching high school, she left the farm to again live with her mother in Amarillo.

After graduating business college in 1935, she went to work in the accounting department of a large laundry and dry cleaning plant where she met her first husband Sanford Shaw, a Navy man who had returned to his job at the plant after coming home from the war. The two moved to California and settled in Eureka around the 1950’s where they bought and operated a dry cleaning business in the Jacoby Storehouse in Arcata.

They then moved the business and themselves to Ferndale where they had their first and only daughter, Paula. Anna Belle also held positions at the offices of the Six Rivers National Forest and then as the secretary for the Humboldt County chapter of 4H from which she retired. After 54 years of marriage, Sanford passed away. Several years later she met and married Guy Dalton of Ferndale. In retirement, Anna Belle volunteered at the Ferndale Senior Center. Anna Belle spent her final years at Timber Ridge in Eureka.

Anna Belle is predeceased by her daughter Paula Dolf, her brother Ray Gowdy, and her husband Guy. She is survived by her beloved grandson Benjamin Dolf, his wife Dawnine Dolf, and her great-grandchildren Riley and Cara Dolf.

Anna Belle was enamored by her great grandchildren, and she demonstrated how proud she was of them by showing them off at Timber Ridge. She loved her family more than words can say, and we love her in the same way. She will be greatly missed and cherished in our hearts.

Services will be held at the Ferndale Community Church 712 Main Street Ferndale CA at 1:00 PM Saturday November 12. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Humboldt County 4-H program 5630 South Broadway, Eureka CA 95503.

Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA.