Obituary
Obituary of Dorothy McDonald
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Dorothy Lois McDonald was born to Laura and Harry Gruver on March 13, 1927 in
Prescott, Washington. She died peacefully at the Black Lake Adult Care Home in
Tumwater on September 7, 2024, at the age of 97.
She was raised in Waitsburg, in Eastern Washington, until her parents moved to
Shelton in the 1930’s. She graduated from Irene S. Reed High School in 1945 and
went to Washington State College for a year before transferring to Western
Washington College, which is now Western Washington University in Bellingham,
Washington. She enjoyed school and had a lot of fun with her high school friends
who nicknamed her Toj, which stuck with her for most of her life.
Dorothy married William R. Barnett, with whom she had four girls. In the early
years they moved with baby daughter Joan to California. While Bill worked at
various jobs Dorothy made a home for their daughters Joan, Jana (aka January),
Patricia, and Carol. Bill and Dorothy subsequently divorced and Dorothy moved
with their four daughters back up to Washington State in 1965. She returned to
Western where she fulfilled the requirements to update her teaching certificate
and then began teaching second grade at Bordeaux Elementary in Shelton, the
same town where her parents and two brothers, Hugh and Lloyd Gruver lived with
their families.
Dorothy really enjoyed children and taught for many years. In 1973 she married
Neil W. McDonald who died in 1987 from complications from multiple Sclerosis.
While married to Neil she retired from teaching but continued to volunteer to
help children with their reading. Later she spent several years as a volunteer at
the Shelton Caboose welcoming visitors to Shelton, and she worked in the gift
shop at Mason General Hospital and at the food bank.
Dorothy was very gregarious and laughter came easily to her. She kept in touch
with her old high school buddies, enjoyed traveling, and played bridge. Over the
years she made several trips to Europe and around the U.S.
She is survived by her daughters Joan Nordheim (Asbjorn ‘Ozzie’ Nordheim),
January Kay Canfield, Patricia Lynn Campbell (William Campbell), and Carol Ann
Barnett Pinkstaff (Phillip Pinkstaff), her eleven grandchildren ( Sarah, Kevin, Tristen,
Erik, Birgit, Anne, Leah, Natalie, Sheila, Paul and Jeffrey), twelve great
grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
She is missed by all.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Dorothy McDonald, please visit Tribute Store
A Memorial Tree was planted for Dorothy
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ the staff at McComb & Wagner Family Funeral Home and Crematory
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In Loving Memory
Dorothy McDonald
1927 - 2024
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King - Pierce - Kitsap
Thurston - Mason
Lewis - Grays Harbor
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