Document text
September 30. 2014 2:00AM Dolores J. Dysart It was with reluctance that Dolores J. Dysart aka Laurie passed away September 27, 2014. She was born February 23,1932 in Murtaugh, Idaho to Ralph and Marguerite Cowden nee Ostrem. Her early years were spent in North Dakota & Nevada. At the age of eight her family moved to McNeil Island, Wash. where her dad worked at the Federal Penitentiary and her mom taught school. She had many happy memories of Puget Sound and McNeil Island with its beaches, swimming, sand dunes, fishing, gooey ducking, & her friends. Laurie, her brother Bob, and her sister Marjorie went to Clover Park Junior High and High School on the mainland. Laurie, Bob, and Marjorie never missed the boat or a day of school. She attended the University of Washington earning a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a public health certificate. As a stewardess flying for Pan American Airlines out of San Francisco she visited many of the South Pacific Islands and the Orient. During flying breaks she worked at the University of California Medical School Hospital in San Francisco. She returned to Seattle in 1956 and continued to fly. Laurie also worked at King County Hospital, where she met her soul mate, Bon, who was interning at UW. They married March 8, 1958. After Bon finished training in Rochester, Minn., Laurie, Bon, gopher Bob, & tar heel Russ spent two years living in the Naval Hospital Compound at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Laurie loved being a mom to her sons, the great beaches, golf courses and the social life. In 1960 they visited towns in Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington with Tommi and John Retzlaff and voted overwhelmingly to live and work in Medford. John and Bon opened a partnership practice in internal medicine in Medford in 1963. The births of Murph & Nancy in 1964 and 1965 brought great joy to her life. Being a marvelous wife, mother, and grandmother were her greatest priorities and love. Laurie, Bon, Tom Glatte MD, & Margaret Howell RN started a diabetes education program of which they were very proud. Laurie was one of the first Certified Diabetes Educators in Oregon. Diabetes Education and public health nursing were her favorite medical activities. She is survived by the love of her life, Bon; her wonderful children, Robert, Russell, Murph, and Nancy; eight grandchildren; and her dear sister, Marjorie Larson. She was predeceased by her grandson, Zachary the saddest day of her life. Her brother, Robert Cowden, died in 1984. Her dear nursing school classmates and her wonderful Medford friends all held a special place in her heart with their love and understanding. She would like to acknowledge the entire staff at Oncology Hematology and the Dubs Center who with kindness and understanding have been with her on the four and one half year journey of her leukemias. Her physician, Alexandra Sander, gave her expertise, compassion, and encouragement during this journey. A service will be held for family and friends at 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 3, 2014 at Perl Siskiyou Memorial Park with Robert Larson officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions to Gales Creek Camperships, 7110 SW Fir Loop STE 170, Portland, OR 97223 or OHSU Foundation For Leukemia Research, 1121 SW Salmon, Suite 100, Portland, OR 97205 would be appreciated. http://www.mailtribune.com/article/20140930/OBITUARIES/309309997 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->