Dorothy "Dottie" Larson

While it is possible to receive good counsel from a wide circle of family and friends, few could do it with the skill and aptitude of Dorothy M Larson. She had a true talent for helping others reach their full potential and brought out the best in those who sought her help. Dorothy was a forward-looking woman whose personality was filled with empathy toward everyone she met. She could be quiet and reserved, but her style of communication was authentic and direct. Her sensitivity, kindness and generous attitude made her a wonderful friend for all who knew her.

From the time she was born on April 18, 1928, Dorothy showed a deep concern for others. She was a giving and caring individual, ethical and full of integrity and warmth. Dorothy came into this world in Seattle, Washington. Her parents were George and Maude Hubbard. Dorothy was raised in Seattle.

Because fellowship was so important to her, Dorothy promoted harmony with her siblings. She was raised with three siblings. She had three sisters, Ruth, Hellen, and Margie.

A good student who was enthusiastic about learning, Dorothy was considered by many to be a high achiever. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1945.

Able to maintain a positive focus on the potential good to be found in others, Dorothy was always ready with solid advice and guidance to offer her group of friends. She was generally friendly to all who knew her, yet to some she seemed quite independent. For those who really knew Dorothy, they recognized that she could be full of surprises. Dorothy enjoyed a small but solid group of true friends. She would willingly support those friends when they needed it. Because of her ability to read people, she had an uncanny knack for knowing when a friend needed help. While growing up, her bestfriend was her sister Margie. Later in life, she became friends with Lillian, Bonnie, and Marge.

Dorothy was romantic, even poetic at times. She was completely devoted to family and friends, able to show her emotions without going overboard about it. She was married to Robert Zeller in 1949 in the Methodist Church of Seattle, Washington. In April 1969, Dorothy exchanged wedding vows with Norman Larson in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Oregon City, OR.

All who knew her would agree that there was a certain kind of magic in how Dorothy was able to bond with her children. While she could be a firm disciplinarian, she could also fill the role of being a collaborator with her kids. Dorothy was always a mentor who helped her family reach its full potential. Dorothy was blessed with two children, one daughter, Laurie, and one son, Gary. They were also blessed with five grandchildren, Marcie, Dennis, Tim, Kimberly, and John.

Dorothy projected a subtle but positive influence in her workplace. She was comfortable working behind the scenes to help everyone get their job done, and she worked hard at all times to help others to reach their highest potential. Dorothy could be a perfectionist at times, but wasn’t one to seek out personal recognitions. She possessed excellent insight and a strong ability to meet schedules. She was an innovator who worked well independently, and she enjoyed the task of meeting a constant array of challenges. Her primary occupation was as an administrative assistant. She was employed for 25 years for Pacific Northwest Bell.

As an imaginative and inventive person, Dorothy was comfortable showing her creative spirit. She enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Once Dorothy took on a new project, she saw it through to its completion. Her favorite pursuits were sewing, knitting, and gardening. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Dorothy was a woman with clear convictions and high principles, and her faith was important to her. She was an inspiration to many people who recognized her sense of commitment and esteem for others. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church for 41 years. During that time, she visited nursing homes and was a member of the Dorcas Society.

Dorothy possessed strong skills in long-range planning and project completion, a quality that positively influenced her travel and vacation planning. Favorite vacations included trips to the beach, and especially to Hawaii.

As someone who treasured harmony and quiet, Dorothy accepted retirement and made the most of it. That day finally came in 1980, and Dorothy was well prepared. Her new life involved relocating to Oregon City, Oregon. In retirement, she found new pleasure swimming, knitting, square dancing.

Dorothy passed away on June 26, 2010 at Berry Park, a retirement community in Oregon City, Oregon. Dorothy fought a brief but courageous battle against cancer. She is survived by her children, Laurie and Gary, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 1:30pm, Wednesday, June 30, 2010 in Trinity Lutheran Church. Dorothy was laid to rest in Lincoln Memorial Park.

Though she could be a private person at times, Dorothy was always able and willing to give of herself. She was so in tune with others that she often seemed able to read their minds. Dorothy carried with her an almost mystical sense of life. She was a person who was highly original in her thinking and used metaphors and symbols to describe many aspects of her life. A poetic, intuitive “teacher”, Dorothy M Larson shared herself freely and family and friends will remember Dorothy for the strength of her convictions.

Dottie's family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society in lieu of flowers.