Dorothy Bartholomew was born in Flushing, N.Y. Sept. 21, 1923 and passed away peacefully on Dec. 11, 2006 in Ft Lauderdale, Fla. at the age of 83.
She was the first of three daughters in a family of seven children. Her sisters Mildred and Florence were frequent visitors to Whidbey Island during the summers.
With her brilliant mind for math, her skills were much in demand in the post-war economy of the 1940s. Dorothy worked for Mr. J.C. Penney at one of his first stores, doing bookkeeping – and modeling hats for the hat buyer and Mr. Penney so they could make their selections. She also worked for General Dye Stuffs as well as several other businesses in New York City.
Dorothy married Horace in 1949. After a number of military-inspired moves ranging from Bermuda, where their son Jeffrey was born, to New York, Georgia, California and Tacoma, they moved to Langley in 1962. They divorced in 2004.
Dorothy was active for many years in St. Hubert Catholic Church, at Good Cheer as the “Toy Lady,” 4-H leadership, the Island County Fair where she organized the first “barnyard menagerie,” and the Extension Service Homemakers Club. Dorothy was many things to many people and was always ready to offer support and encouragement to newcomers, new mothers, and anyone who needed a friend or could use something she had to share. Her brownies and rum cake will be missed, as will her unfailing generosity and spirited wit.
Shortly after her 81st birthday Dorothy moved to Ft. Lauderdale, where she lived with her sister Florence and brother-in-law Ed Batha. Thought she enjoyed the warmth and sunshine of Florida, she missed her many Whidbey Island friends.
Dorothy is survived by her sons Jeffrey, Brian (Alice), and Michael, daughter Ellen (Michael Babbit), and grandchildren Mary, Kyle and Kelsey.
At her request, no services will be held, however her ashes will be returned to the Island she loved in a family celebration of her life this spring.
Remembrances may be made to Operation Sack Lunch, PO Box 1231 Clinton, WA 98236 or Good Cheer PO Box 144, Langley, WA 98260. She would be pleased to know someone had a good meal in her memory.
