Obituary of Dorothy Rowe

Dorothy Elizabeth Wickman Rowe -- loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Dorothy (Mom, Grams) was born to Anton and Johanna Wickman in Orting, WA on August 26, 1919 and was the middle child of three girls. She would have been 99 this month. She fought cancer twice when she was younger and won. She most recently was hospitalized for pneumonia and an infection and was living with symptoms related to congestive heart failure. Dorothy graduated from Orting High School in 1937 and was her class salutatorian. She met her husband, Glenn Rowe, at a dance in South Prairie. They were married on February 5, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois where Glenn was in the Army. Dorothy and Glenn settled in Tacoma where they raised their daughter, Janice. Dorothy was a dedicated mother and homemaker after the war. Her husband preceded her in death in 1981. Dorothy took joy in being around her family and friends. She enjoyed reading, daily walks, tending to her roses/ snap dragons/ hydrangeas, and attending family gatherings. Dorothy was famous in the family for her applesauce. She picked apples from her neighbor who let her come pick them as often as she liked. She spoiled her granddaughters with” lump free” applesauce, and to this day they strongly dislike store bought applesauce! Haha! She was loyal, sassy, loving, kind, caring, and spunky. When we would take her back home from a day outing we would tell her to be good until we saw her again. She would say “Why” with a big smile on her face! She loved to joke and tease with her friends in the two apartments she lived in after moving out of the house she lived in for 56 years. Those friendships were dear to her. She also had two lifelong girlfriends, Carol and Margaret, who meant the world to her. They enjoyed many road trips together which also included a trip to Hawaii and a cruise during their middle age years. What happened on those fun filled trips was talked about forever! When asked by her granddaughter recently, Dorothy’s fondest memory and happy place was their trip to Hawaii for two weeks. Dorothy leaves behind her daughter, Janice Johnson, son-in-law John Johnson, her granddaughters, Cyndi Hancock (Jim Hancock) and Carmen Totten (Rob Totten), five great grandchildren, Caleb Hancock, Kaitlyn Hancock, Ryan Totten, Russell Totten and Reece Totten. She also leaves 3 stepchildren, 6 step great grandchildren and 7 step great great grandchildren. Friends and family are welcome to attend Dorothy’s graveside service on August 9, 2018, at 11 am at Sumner Cemetery. Reception and open house will follow at her daughter’s house. There is also a viewing at Hill Funeral Home in Puyallup the day before (August 8, 2018) between the hours of 2-7pm. If needed, please contact Janice for directions to the reception.