Dorothy I Towle

February 16, 1922 - February 26, 2014

Dorothy Irene Towle passed away at Providence St. Peters Hospital on February 26th, 2014. She was born in Elma, Washington on February 16, 1922, the 3rd child of 8, to parents Simeon Silver Drake and Maybelle Carrie Suzanne Covey. As a young adult she moved to Aberdeen, Washington, where she graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1941. After high school she moved to Seattle then returned to Aberdeen and married LeRoy Towle. Their life together took them to South Bend, Winlock and Aberdeen. They eventually settled in Shelton, Washington, where they lived for the next 13 years. In 1964, the Towle family moved to Olympia where LeRoy continued working for Safeway as a meat cutter and Dorothy continued her career as an Avon Representative in the Shelton and Olympia areas. She was also very active in the Shelton and Olympia Chapters of the Lady's Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Dorothy was devoted to her husband and children, always participating in their many activities. She was an original "tailgater" providing food and beverages to everyone at her son Robert's Little League games. As an accomplished homemaker, she stretched the family budget by canning dozens of jars of fruits and vegetables to last a year. Her dill and bread and butter pickles were very popular with family and friends. Dorothy was also accomplished at knitting, crocheting and as a seamstress. She enjoyed clam digging, fishing, camping vacations with her family and an Alaska Cruise in 2003. Summer wasn't summer without large family picnics at Schafer State Park with her family, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

Dorothy never complained about her life challenges, meeting each one with determination and resolve. She was an inspiration and role model to many, welcomed everyone into her home with open arms and will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched. She will forever be in our hearts and memories. Now that you are reunited with Dad, give him a hug and kiss from us.

Dorothy was preceded in death by LeRoy, her husband of 68 years; her parents Simeon and Maybelle Drake; step father Earl Koons; brother Robert Drake; sister Geraldine Grine; and sister Loretta Valentino. Dorothy is survived by sisters Delores Paterson, Olympia; Peggy Perkins, Oregon; Rosemary Martin, Oregon; and brother Warren Drake, Aberdeen. She is also survived by her son Robert Warren (Jan); son Ronald LeRoy (Brian); daughter Linda Marie (Carl) Anderson; and 5 grandchildren: Brian Towle, Kari Towle Buster, Colleen Anderson Cuen, Elissa Anderson, and Eric Anderson. She is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren: Isabella Cuen, Maya Cuen, Amelia Cuen, Peter Cuen and Madelyn Buster.

There will be a Private Graveside Service at Masonic Memorial Park in Tumwater at 1pm with a reception, Celebration of Life for family and friends following at Anthony's Restaurant at the Port of Olympia.

"Those we love don't go away

they walk beside us everyday

unseen, unheard, but always near

still loved, still missed, and very dear."