Dorothy Bess Olsen passed away on May 13, 2016 at the age of 91. She was born August 16, 1924 on the H-T Ranch near Amidon, Slope County, North Dakota to Robert and Agnes Beebe. She was the youngest of three children joining a brother Don (SPHS '38) and sister, Ellen (SPHS '37). The family moved to South Pasadena in 1932 where she graduated from high school in 1942. As a teenager, Dorothy enjoyed Spanish dancing. Following graduation, Dorothy went to work in a defense plant manufacturing radio crystals during World War II.

Dorothy moved to Oak Harbor, Washington in 1966 where she was employed by the Island County Assessor's Office, retiring as Chief Deputy. Dorothy married Chris Olsen, a retired Air Traffic Controller Navy Chief Petty Officer, and the love of her life, in 1974 in Oak Harbor, bringing together a family with eight children.  Dorothy and Chris both retired in 1984 and began traveling across the state, attending Grand Lodge meetings of the Masonic Lodge. They also traveled across the US and internationally, visiting family and friends and enjoyed sightseeing from their motorhome. Eventually they became snowbirds spending winters in the southwest. Dorothy was a life-time member of Eastern Star and a 55-year member of Tula Chapter of Coupeville and Madrona Chapter of Anacortes. She attended the Oak Harbor First United Methodist Church and was a member of the Daughters of the Nile for over 35 years.

Dorothy is survived by three biological children:  Jim (Vivian) Snyder of Lorton, Virginia, Mike (Betty) Smith of Marysville, Washington, Betsy (Richard) Burlingame of Sequim, Washington; and four stepchildren:  Ann (Glen) Espedal of Astoria, Oregon, Bruce Olsen of Snohomish, Washington, Carl (Eleanor) Olsen of Centralia, Washington, and David Olsen of Portland, Oregon. She was preceded in death by her husband Chris, her parents, sister and brother and one stepdaughter, Judith deVaux.

Wallin Funeral Home Online, May 2016