Dorothy May (Pero) Howell-Jones

Dorothy May (Pero) Howell-Jones peacefully passed away early in the morning on July 20, 2016. Dorothy was age 84 and had recently moved to Spokane to live with her daughter. During her final days, the Howell and Kafflen family members were all able to be with Dorothy. She was strong and alert until the end, never demanding or complaining.

Dorothy was born at home in Graham, Washington on May 10, 1932, the ninth of 11 children in the family of Harley and Amelia Pero. The family moved to Eatonville where Dorothy attended local schools, graduating from Eatonville High School. She worked in Tacoma, where she met a young airman from McChord AFB. Dorothy and Edwin Parker Howell were married in the Base Chapel on June 7, 1952; daughter Penny was born in 1954, sons Kerry in 1956 and Eric in 1962.

Ed’s career in radio took them to Sunnyside, Tacoma, Olympia, Bellingham, and Yakima before settling in Mountlake Terrace. Once the children were in school, Dorothy continued her education at Edmonds Community College, earning a degree in accounting. She worked in several local companies, then completed her career with many years at the Bellevue law firm Inslee Best Doezie & Ryder.

After Ed died of cancer, Dorothy met and married Jerry Jones, a widower. They lived in Lynnwood, and then moved to Dorothy’s retirement home on Whidbey Island. Dorothy was actively involved in the Scatchet Head community, and pursued her passions for sewing and quilting, reading and gardening. Early in 2015 the couple moved to Mill Creek for health reasons.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her son Eric in 1978 and her husband Ed in 1995.

She is survived by Jerry Jones, five siblings, Penny Kafflen (Bill) and Kerry Howell (Cheryl), three grandchildren and their spouses, and eight great-grandchildren. She will also be greatly missed by Normadee Jones, Ken Jones, Karen Parke, Ted Jones, David Jones and their families.

There will be a celebration of her life at 2 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2016 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. Participants are invited to dress casually and to wear something red, her favorite color. After the service, pie and ice cream (her favorite dessert) will be served.

Memorial contributions in Dorothy’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Spokane.