Obituary: Dorothy Jean Johnson, 1956-2011

Dorothy Jean Johnson.
Photo courtesy Shoreline Children's Center

Services will be held on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 2pm in the Shoreline Room at the north end of the Shoreline Center.

Dorothy Jean Johnson, 55, a life-long resident of Shoreline, WA passed away May 16, 2011 at Overlake Hospital due to the complications of pneumonia. Born February 5, 1956 in Seattle, WA to parents Paul and Darline Soderlund. Dorothy is a 1974 graduate of Shoreline High School and 1975 graduate of Commercial Training College where she received her Legal Secretary’s Certificate. While at CTC she met and fell in love with her future husband, Scott. After a year-long engagement they married on May 1, 1976. Just two weeks before Dorothy’s passing they had celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. Dorothy and Scott did everything together – from hobbies, to travel, to cooking, to gardening, to everything.

Prior to giving birth to her pride and joy, Scott Jr., Dorothy worked for Mutual of Omaha as a claims auditor, and later as a secretary to the Seattle Claims Office Director. After Scott Jr. was born Dorothy became a “stay @ home mom” for the next 12 years. She was so very proud of Scotty’s accomplishments. Her favorites: Graduation Day at WSU; the day he married his high school sweetheart, Maya; and the day each grandchild was born.

Dorothy was involved in all levels of PTA while Scotty was in school, from local to council levels. Her love of children was the overpowering desire that made her work and dedicate herself to the purpose of PTA. Dorothy was a multiple recipient of one of PTA’s highest honors – the Golden Acorn Award for outstanding service to PTA. In addition to her years of PTA involvement Dorothy also served on the boards for the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation; Shoreline/Lake Forest Park Arts Council; and North King County Little League.

In 1990 while Scotty was in middle school Dorothy started to work for the Shoreline School District as a temporary secretary which quickly grew into a full-time job as…Secretary for Instruction and Curriculum (Linda Averill); then Confidential Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent (Linda Averill and Linda Johnson); and finally as Office Manager at Shoreline Children’s Center (Linda Averill and Jenny Parks). Her commitment to her job was great – she strived to have a knowledge base second to none. This was evident by the fact she knew volumes about the School District, and it was well known to call Dorothy Johnson if you had a question about the District, Dorothy would either know the answer or knew where to get the answer. She always, no matter what she was doing, made time for everyone, staff member; teacher; administrator, parent or student. She treated everyone with the utmost respect no matter who they were. Dorothy touched many, both inside and outside of the district.

During her tenure with the District Dorothy was the recipient of the Washington State Excellence in Education Award for her service to the educational systems and children of Washington State.

Family was Dorothy’s strongest core value – she lived and breathed for her family. And family wasn’t defined by only her parents, or siblings, or husband or son – it also included her friends and work family. She was there for any of them, always, in any way she could help or assist. Dorothy was the type that would give you the last dollar from her wallet or the shirt off her back to help you get out of a jam or feel better. Selfishness was not part of her genetic makeup.

She loved her grandchildren – she was one of the proudest grandmas. If you had a second she’d be whipping out the kid’s website to show off the latest pictures of the grandkids. And she was always on the lookout for the next “buy” for the grandkids. Maya and Scotty had told her that she had a limited amount of space for the things that she bought Leela and Byron – but who was she to listen, she’d buy anyway and ask for forgiveness later.

Dorothy loved to travel – she would often accompany Scott on business trips to California, New York, Chicago and London – she’d walk the entire city while Scott was in business meetings and then drag Scott along in the evenings to show him the sites she had discovered during the day.

She was an avid hobby crafter…ceramics (certified Duncan Ceramics Teacher), knitting/crocheting, weaving, quilting, rubber stamping – you name it Dorothy did it, or at least tried it. If you wanted to try an art project – all you had to do was ask Dorothy first, she most likely had the materials, tools or know-how. An example was when she volunteered herself and Scott to tie-dye 1000 little bags for her favorite rubber-stamp store’s annual customer appreciation event – yes volunteered.

The Christmas season was Dorothy’s favorite. She loved decorating her home and baking cookies – she has box after box after box of decorations and cookie cutters, collected over the last 35 years, and Scott had to get each and every box out each year because one just didn’t know what they wanted to put out on display! Dorothy also liked to create themed Christmas trees – and at last count, she had eight themed Christmas trees…skiing penguins tree, snowmen tree, stuffed animals tree, glittery and bows tree, candy tree, old-fashion ornament tree. All of these created by her and husband Scott.

Dorothy was an avid shopper – she loved department stores, and in recent years – Internet shopping. She’d come home to a package on the doorstep and say coyly, “Now what did I order?” Or “Wait, I didn’t order anything…did I?” with a devilish smile. Pretty presents were her thing, she’d wrap and Scott would add the bows. Everyone who received a gift from Dorothy always knew it would be something special – chosen with great care just for them.

Dorothy loved clothes – growing up there weren’t the “big girl” stores, as Dorothy called them, of today so her mom made most of Dorothy’s clothes – but in later years after the advent of the “big girl” stores (and later on-line shopping) she became a “clothes-hog,” and she knew it, and admitted it. She’d often joke that Scott had a small section of closet in the guest room…for now! She couldn’t get enough color, the brighter the better was her creed.

Dorothy and Scott talked often about what a wonderful life they had…each year better than the last. The love of those who surrounded them provided the strength and empowerment to live another day. And live she did…to the fullest each and every day! We will miss your shining blue eyes, your gentle kisses, and your warm, caring, loving personality. Rest in peace our dear Dorothy – we love you.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her grandparents and parents, Paul (1995) and Darline (2010).

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Scott; Son, Scott Jr., Daughter-in-law Maya and grandchildren Leela and Byron of Brier, WA; the “Boys” -- Winston and Casey; Brother, Paul (Dianne) Soderlund of Cresson,TX; Sister, Karen (Phil) Gates of Camano Island, WA; best friends Diane Jenkins and Penny Kollars; and numerous nieces, nephews, plus many friends.

Please join us for a celebration of Dorothy’s life on Saturday, June 18 @ 2pm in the Shoreline Room / Shoreline Center, 18560 1st NE, Shoreline WA 98155.

Please share memories with the family at Becks Funeral Home.