Dorothy Stevenson's Obituary
Dorothy Phyllis Lorent
June 27, 1929 –April 3, 2023
Dorothy was born in Tacoma, Pierce, WA on June 27, 1929, to immigrant parents, Alfred Lorent (Belgium) and Lucy Arnold (Ukraine). She grew up in Tacoma with 11 siblings, Robert, Leon, Eugene, Jack, Harry, Leo, Julia, Ronald, Gloria, William, and Darlene, who have all preceded her in death, along with her parents, and husband Jim Stevenson. She is survived by her children, Jim (Elma), Diane (Craig), Scott (Hallie), 5 grandchildren, Kara, Michael, Kristina, Andrew, and Christian, as well as 3 great-grandchildren, Olivia, James and Hailey. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, Gary Bennett, and sisters-in-law, Caroline and Arlene Lorent, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dorothy was baptized at the age of 9 at 6th Avenue Baptist Church. Jim and Dorothy were married for 73 years.
Dorothy graduated from Lincoln High School in 1947 with her future husband, Jim Stevenson. Dorothy was active in many clubs and activities at Lincoln, including being a Majorette, May Day Princess, Civil Air Patrol, and lettering in Riflery. She attended Bates Business School in Tacoma, before getting married to Jim on Sept 11, 1948. She worked as a secretary, retiring from Wells Fargo Bank. Jim and Dorothy were married for 73 years.
Dorothy’s greatest joy was her family and their beautiful home in Fircrest. She is survived by her children, Jim (Elma), Diane (Craig), Scott (Hallie), 5 grandchildren, Kara, Michael, Kristina, Andrew, and Christian, as well as 3 great-grandchildren, Olivia, James and Hailey. She was active in all the community events, school, Boy Scouts, Bluebirds, Garden Club, and supporting Jim’s career in bowling. She loved to work in the garden, walk the beach, bike riding, golf, bowling, sailing and was very creative. She was a beautiful soul and loved unconditionally. She blessed us with her warm hugs, smiles, and lots of love and laughter.
As the children grew, Dorothy followed her natural abilities of drawing, painting, dancing, and volunteering to organize events. She was a Daffodil Princess escort, planned all the bank events, and was part of the LHS Alumni Committee, as secretary and treasurer of the Reunion Committee. They enjoyed their 70th Reunion together at the Emerald Queen in 2018. Jim and Dorothy enjoyed many years with the Tacoma Yacht Club, where Dorothy was a member of the Shipmates as Sec-Treasurer. She loved to crew on the sailboat races.
She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who loved each one of them with a selfless and generous heart. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends. May she rest in peace, knowing we will meet again.
There will be a Celebration of Life on June 2nd @3pm, Mt. View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, in the Garden Chapel with refreshments following.
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Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
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