Dorothy Virginia Owens

Dorothy Virginia (Anderson) Owens was born June 9, 1924, in Casper, Wyoming and died January 16, 2017, at Providence Everett Medical Center. Dorothy’s early years were spent on the family homestead in Highlight, WY, with parents, Carl Albert Anderson and Bessie Kruntorad Anderson, along with younger siblings, Bernadine, Junior (who died of diphtheria at age three), and Geraldine (who died in a car accident at age nine months). When Dorothy was eight her family moved to the small town of Sweet Home, Oregon , where younger brother, Donald was born. Just four years after the family arrived in Oregon Dorothy’s father was stricken with meningitis and died suddenly. Since Donald was not yet in school Bessie was not able to get a job so the family subsisted on welfare until Donald entered school. Dorothy worked at jobs such as babysitting to help the family get by. The day after high school graduation Dorothy left home to find a job, and spent the war years working in various cities on the west coast, including a stint at Paine Field in Everett, WA, installing wiring on P-38 Lightning fighters. Eventually Dorothy landed in San Francisco, CA, where she met Frank Charles Owens. Frank and Dorothy were married in 1949 and had four children: the late Carla Crook of Kikland, WA, Beverly Hoback of Arlington, WA, Bradley (Marie) of Bothell, WA , and Brian of Everett. Frank’s work for West Coast Telephone (later GTE) brought the family to Everett in 1960 and, except for two and one-half years spent in Florida, Dorothy has resided in Everett ever since, most recently at Brookedale Arbor Place, where she was very contented. Dorothy spent 23 years working for GTE, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. The family spend much time camping throughout the northwest, and several times a year Frank and Dorothy traveled to Reno, NV, often taking Dorothy’s mother with them. Gambling on the “one armed bandits,” and bingo at the Lion’s Club back home were Dorothy’s only vices. Frank and Carla died just nine months apart in 1992, but Dorothy continued to live a full and active life, being described by one son-in-law as “the most generous person I ever met.” She loved to take trips with her children and grandchildren, and she always footed the bill. Dorothy is also predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings. She is survived by her children, Beverly, Brad (Marie), and Brian; her grandchildren: Ben, Matt, James, and Joel Hoback; Jason Owens; and Lisa (Max) Wilson, and beloved great-granddaughter, Leah Wilson. She always remained close to Carla’s husband, Sterling Crook, and his second wife, Esther Anderson Crook, and former daughter-in-law, Denise Fox Owens. Dorothy was honest, hardworking, generous, brave, and funny. She will be missed by her large extended family and longtime Everett friends, Vi Rielly and Bev Holland. A celebration of life will be held at Evergreen Funeral Home at 1:00 on Sunday, January 29, 2017. All who knew and loved Dorothy are invited to come share a meal along with laughter, tears, and funny stories about our incredible mother, grandmother, aunt, sister-in law, and friend.