Dorothy De Etta (Brown) Bennett's Obituary
Dorothy De Etta (Brown) Bennett
January 16, 1932 ~ March 21, 2017
Dorothy De Etta (Brown) Bennett was born near Vermillion, South Dakota on January 16, 1932 to Marvel and Tom Brown. She died at Thanksgiving House in St Helens, Oregon on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at the age of 85.
Dorothy was the oldest of four children, two who preceded her in death. Her family moved to Oregon when Dorothy was five years old, where she later attended Hopewell Grade School and graduated from Amity High School in 1950. She attended what was then Oregon College of Education and later became a teacher at St. Helens Preschool where her consummate teaching skills and patience were very evident. She married James Bennett of St. Helens on June 27, 1954 and eventually settled in Warren, Oregon where they spent the next 57 years together before he passed in 2011.
Her love for the under privileged was born out as a couple when they provided a loving home for over 125 foster and adopted children during their married life. She along with Jim, was recognized by governor Vic Atiyeh for her long-standing commitment to children and teens in need.
Dorothy was an active member of Warren Baptist Church and encouraged her kids to attend regularly. She believed education was very important and inspired children to excel in school. She was a supportive and actively involved parent in all the children’s activities including sports and rodeo events. Her love for music was very apparent throughout her life, especially playing the piano. She was also an avid gardener and loved spending time in her rose garden.
Dorothy suffered a severe stroke and brain injury in 2003 that left her paralyzed and unable to speak but her indomitable spirit and clarity of thought never left her.
Dorothy is survived by her children: Dan Bennett (Chenda Nhem), Bob Bennett (Michelle), Jayme Frazier (Eric), Troy Bennett (Flavia), Stacey Lake (Shane) and Maria Broderick (Rodger) She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, her brother Dean and numerous foster children. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, two siblings Beverley and Keith, along with her son Dan Baumgardner.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 7, 2017 at 1 PM at Warren Baptist Church in Warren, Oregon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Thanksgiving House or Warren Baptist Church.
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