Dorothy was born November 13, 1928 to Rick and Hazel Gray. A lifelong resident of Arlington, Dorothy graduated from Arlington High School in 1946, then briefly attend end Washington State College. Her education was interrupted when she met handsome Darrington Farmer, Jack Sturgeon, at the Gray family business, Arlington Hardware.
Jack and Dorothy were married in 1948. For a brief time they lived on the Saul Prairie farm, but quickly moved back to Arlington. Dorothy worked at JC Penny. Yes, Arlington once had a JC Penny store! She and Jack raised 3 children; Rick, Ann, and Norris. Mom could always be seen at our many events; cub scouts, basketball games, concerts and plays. Daughter, sister, wife and mother-she willingly assisted all of us with loving care through injuries, surgeries, pregnancies and mourning in what must have accumulated to months and years. She had a great sense of responsibility, something she mentored for her children, that if you accepted a task, you see it through to completion.
One of the passions she shared with Jack was the love of travel. Years tent camping trips with the family was upgraded to motor home travel with friends and family. The motor home took the to Nova Scotia, Copper Canyon Mexico, Grand Canyon, Alaska, and most places in between. Together, they visited every continent but Africa and Antarctica. If you knew them, you had been shown (subjected to?) the many pictures brought back from their adventures!
Dorothy and her sister Joann also ran the local license agency from 1985 to 1989. Her attention to detail and organizational skills served her well. She found pleasure in providing this service to the Arlington community.
In 1998, Dorothy, her sister Joann, and two of their friends were named Citizens of the year by the Arlington Chamber of commerce for their actions to help clean up litter on their morning walks.
Family was always important to mom. She had an avid interest in keeping up with what was going on with her children and grandchildren. Her daily calendar didn't just show her own appointments, it tracked all of our travels. She never missed a birthday or anniversary and was particularly happy to have all of her extended family come to her 90th birthday party this past November.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Jack, a very special grandson Mark Swannank and her brother Jack Gray. She leaves behind her sister Joann Gray, sons Rick (Pam) and Norris (Lynn) and daughter Ann Swannack (Steve), 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Dianne Hansen, her niece ("adopted" daughter) for the loving care she gave mom these past years.
In place of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the Mark Swannack Memorial. SJE School's Foundation P.O.Box 411 St. John, WA 99017
Service will be held at Arlington United Church, 338 N MacLeod Ave, Arlington, WA 98223 at 11:00 a.m.
