Dorothy (Dottie), passed away peacefully the morning of June 3, 2018 at Sunshine Health and Rehab where she was being cared for due to a fall resulting in back injuries. She was born to John and Maude Pandelis in Spokane, WA on August 30, 1925. She graduated from North Central High School in January 1943, and went to work for the Administrator of School District #81.
She married her high school sweetheart, Dan Doeleman, on August 19, 1943 while he was home on his first leave of absence from the Army. He was the love of her life, and they were married for 73 years.
After Dan’s discharge from the Army, the couple lived in Spokane for a while. In 1951, they moved to Faribanks, Alaska when Dan joined the Washington Air Guard, and was given orders to report there. Two years later they returned to Spokane, where daughter Judy was born in 1953, followed by daughter, Connie in 1955. Dorothy was an excellent homemaker, cook, and seamstress. She sewed many articles of clothing for the girls, as well as herself. In later years, Dorothy went back to work for School District #81 as an elementary school secretary. Many wonderful summer vacations were spent at Priest Lake with family and friends. In retirement, Dorothy and Dan traveled to Arizona where they spent several winters as “snowbirds” in their travel trailer.
Dorothy was sweet, kind and loving, even in later years as her eyesight continued to fail, due to macular degeneration. She will be truly missed by her family and all that knew her. Dorothy was a long time member of Opportunity Christian Church.
She is survived by her daughters, Judy McNett (Tucson, AZ) and Connie (Gary) Challender (Spokane Valley), sister Joanne, two step grandchildren, four step great-grandchildren, and three step great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Helen and Lois, brother John Jr., and loving husband Dan.
A Memorial Service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, June 30th at 2:00pm at Opportunity Christian Churchy, 708 N. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA. A reception will follow.
Memorial contributions can be made in Dorothy’s name to: Opportunity Christian Church, 708 N. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA 99206 or Lilac Services for the Blind, 1212 N. Howard St., Spokane, WA 99201
Please visit Dorothy’s online memorial, and sign the guest book at www.thornhillvalley.com
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