Carol Lynn Dobbs

Carol Lynn Dobbs, (80), passed away on August 31, 2024, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. Due to a variety of health issues, the last decade of her life was incredibly difficult, both emotionally and physically. The family takes solace in knowing she is finally at peace and free from pain. I’m sure all her cherished furbies were there to greet her at the Rainbow Bridge, along with loved ones that passed before.

Mom (aka “Rita Jean”) was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 18, 1943, to Arthur L. Garland Jr and Margaret M. Garland (Conway). She has three younger brothers, Arthur, Casey, and Patrick Garland, along with seven nieces and five nephews. She was very proud of her Irish heritage on the Conway side, though she never got to visit Ireland. Her favorite aunt was a nun, who had a glorious and very accomplished history all her own!

During World War II, while her father was serving as a Navy patrol bomber pilot, and her mother was tending to other tasks, Carol spent time with her grandma in Livingston, Montana. She recalled so much love and happiness in that home, and she would later name her second daughter Dora, after her.

After the war, her father’s job with Alaska Airlines took the family to none other than the “Frozen North”, Alaska. Mom often called it the “Klondike”. There, they dug their own well, built a house, and erected a giant swing set. There are several entertaining stories from times spent in Alaska, to include jumping off the roof into the snowbank, and close encounters with the local moose population. Apparently, they chased kids up trees (including Mom) and butted heads with the school bus!

Eventually, the family moved to Bellevue, Washington, were Mom attended Bellevue High School. She found it a bit difficult to fit into that crowd and did not graduate with the class of 1959. However, I suspect meeting Emmett Dobbs at the gas station while showing off one of his hot rods had something to do with that! They were married in September 1960, when she was only seventeen, and three years later, Dana Renae made her appearance into the world.

Now I’m going to share some special memories and will speak in the First person. After I was born, we lived in Kirkland. Mom wanted to go to art school, and had the chance, but Dad put the kibosh to that. So, she immersed herself into all kinds of ceramics, and making glass grape clusters (dipping wire “leaves” into some type of resin that would burn your nose hairs off today), baking, cooking, and going to beauty school. I remember spending hours being the “test subject” for different hairdos, and those fake beauty school practice heads were just a little bit scary! I also clearly remember listening to the Beatles “White Album” and playing “guitar” with a kitchen pan next to a speaker. We even had a pet skunk! Another fond memory was Mom flocking the Christmas tree and making it change colors with the pinwheel light.

But, alas, the marriage was not meant to be, and we eventually ended up in Bellevue in a place I lovingly call the “Pink House” after their divorce. Mom literally went from dutiful housewife to full blown 1970’s hippie! Music was playing constantly, candles and incense were burning, and the art of the day was tie-dye, macrame, beadwork, ink drawings, calligraphy, and decoupage. Tapestries and artwork covered the walls. It was a happy time, with lots of friends coming and going, Mom planting flowers in the yard, and playing with our dogs! Our pure white dog did not escape a tie-dye party, much to his dismay!

During that time, Mom was working at a good friend’s upscale beauty salon, and some of her loyal customers would even come to the house. She was an extremely talented hairdresser, mastering the finger wave and other difficult styles. She was also on a bowling league at Sun Villa Lanes in Bellevue along with her sister-in-law Cathy’s mother, Norma. She was quite good and had excellent form! My father and her brother, Art, were also excellent keglers. I would follow suit many years later, bowling for Washington State University.

As mentioned, Mom loved music and took me to several concerts, to include Rod Stewart, Willy Nelson, and the Rolling Stones (her favorite band of all time). Mom also thoroughly enjoyed going to Pike Place Market in Seattle and watching her friends compete in the go cart races down Post Alley. I don’t think the gum was on the walls back then. We did, however, see a streaker!

Somewhere during this time, Richard Rae rode into the scene on his Harley. Most likely, he had a Rainier beer in his hand! After having Mom to myself all those years, I wasn’t pleased with the intrusion! But he won us over and eventually moved us to Renton, just on the border of Maple Valley. Mom would call this “home” for the rest of her life.

To Mom’s great surprise and delight, she became a mother again with the birth of Dora in the late seventies. I was just getting ready to enter high school, so she had a “built in” babysitter! Dora was a happy baby and would bounce around for hours in the seat we hung in the kitchen doorway. She brought much joy to the family, and to the dogs, who would become her personal face wipers!

The art of the day was knitting, crochet, cross stitch (some of it microscopic), tatting, hand painting Christmas ornaments, creating beaded lamp shades, and others I’m probably forgetting. As always, there was plenty of good food and baking for everyone to enjoy! Mom was always happiest when taking care of others, as it gave her a sense of purpose.

Unfortunately, Richard fell ill with heart disease, and Mom spent her time caring for him until he passed. Now, a single Mom once again, she took classes to become a florist and make a living. Her most successful job was resident florist at the Four Corners Safeway in Maple Valley. There, she created tremendous floral displays, including gift balloons with stuffed animals and trinkets inside, and her arrangements were stunning. She was often sought out for her gorgeous wedding bouquets and boutonnieres. She regularly topped the sales charts within her region. Unfortunately, she had a horrible manager, so she quit. Mom also worked for some smaller floral shops, where she was very successful until she eventually retired on disability.

While in college at WSU, I nominated my mother for Coman Hall’s “Mother of the Year” award in 1983. I described how despite having little to no money, Mom always found a way to make ends meet and care for myself and others, especially during the “Pink House” days. This often meant making personal sacrifices. In addition, her artistic talents were unmatched, and she shared her passions readily. Dora and I didn’t fall far from the tree! While my cartooning and drawing days have gone by the wayside, Dora is an accomplished jewelry maker, crafting the most unusual and beautiful designs. She meticulously cuts vinyl to decorate Christmas ornaments and experiments with different colors of resin and molds. Mom was very proud of us. Oh, and yes, Mother won the award and was honored at my dorm during WSU’s Mom’s Weekend.

In the year 2000, Mom became a proud grandmother to Ciara, Dora’s daughter. I can tell you beyond a shadow of a doubt, she loved her more than anything in the world. The other loves of her life were her dogs over the years; most recently Hannah, Tulip, and Bayson (all Pit Bulls or mixes thereof). They kept her entertained and provided much needed support and unconditional love when she was alone and didn’t feel well.

I believe it was around 2008 when a furnace accident and subsequent inhalation of carbon monoxide prompted Mom’s doctor to predict that she only had five years to live. I told her to “Live your life. Only one person decides when you die!” Unfortunately, she withdrew from life, family, and friends; the very things she cherished the most. Those were some very difficult and challenging times for everyone. I wish that hadn’t been the case, because she could have focused on her artwork, gardening, and all the things she loved for many more years.

On a brighter note, Mom got to enjoy several holiday celebrations in her home, a very special 80th birthday (got her nails done bright red, a color she LOVED), another Rolling Stones concert in Seattle, a Kraken hockey game, and she attended Nika and my wedding at Island Lake in Shelton. She also came to our house for Christmas last year. That was always her favorite holiday, and it was nice to see her so happy and comfortable. This is the way I will remember her best, and we will miss her.

Mom did not wish to have services, and hopefully she will be interred at the family plot in Montana. If anything changes, timely updates will be provided. I’d like to thank Providence Hospice, Patriots Glen, Visiting Angels, my husband, and the friends that lent a hand with Mom’s care or visited during her last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to reputable animal shelters or rescues, a cancer research facility, or charity of your choice.