OBITUARY - DOROTHY ROSE (YOUNG) PARSONS

Submitted by: Rita K. Cobb Balch, ritakay@hotmail.com

Source: "The Longview Daily News," Longview, Cowlitz Co., Washington, Tuesday, 
18 May 2004

"Dorothy Rose (Dot) Parsons 

Dorothy (Dot) Rose Parsons passed away on April 28, 2004 at the Hospice Care 
Center. She was born on February 18, 1919 to Earl and Merle Young
in Spokane, Wash. She was the oldest of two children. They moved to
Sedro Wooley, where they lived until she was 13 years old. Her father rode
the freight train to Longview where he got a job and moved his family to
the Upper Coweeman. She graduated from Kelso High School in 1937. She
married her best friend, Lennie F. Parsons on July 24, 1937 in Kelso. They
were married for 54 wonderful years. Dorothy loved her family very much.
She loved working with the flowers in her yard and arranging flowers. She
also loved camping (anytime), fishing (always), clamming and family
get-togethers. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, and all kinds of crafts. She
loved dancing, bowling, and traveling. She made and decorated all kinds
of cakes for her family, from birthdays to weddings. She was a member of
the Rose Valley Grange for more than 50 years, serving as Secretary for
many of those years. She held almost every station there is in the Grange
at one time or another. She was a member of Pamona and State Grange
also. She designed and constructed the Rose Valley Grange display booth
at the Cowlitz County Fair for many, many years. She was a member of
Longview-Kelso W.B.A. and Women's International Bowling Congress. She
was a Delegate to State and National Bowling Conventions. She was a
Local Association Director and worked on several committees. She was
elected Member Emerita at the most recent annual meeting. Dorothy was
a 4-H Leader and a Scout Den Leader. She was a cook for the Rose Valley
School for 17 years. She held her last job at KLTV at the age of 75. Her
husband Lennie Parsons; parents Merle and Earl Young; and a grandson
Steven Parsons preceded her in death.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Nadine and James (Jim)
Axelson of Toutle, Wash; daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Ross Cobb of
Castle Rock, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law, Wayne (Buck) and Sandi
Parsons of Lakewood, Wash.; daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and James
(Jim) Longre of Kelso, Wash.; 19 Grandchildren, 35 Great Grandchildren,
and 7 Great Great-Grandchildren. A brother, Phillip Young of Seaview,
Wash. and his family also survives her along with many nieces and
nephews and many, many dear friends. Dorothy's family, as well as all her
friends, will truly miss her very much. She touched so many lives and
enriched the lives of all who knew her. She lived her life to the fullest.
A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, May 23rd, 2004 at 1:00 p.m., at
the Rose Valley Grange.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Home Health and
Hospice. P.O. Box 2067, Longview WA. 98632.