Dorothy Akin passed away on July 27, 2017 at Brookside Manor in Hood River, Oregon surrounded by her family. She was born February 12, 1924 and was 93 years of age at the time of her passing. Dorothy is now in Heaven with Frank, Sr. who preceded her in death in 2003. Dorothy’s son, Frank Jr. (and his wife, Sheryl) owned and operated Anderson’s Tribute Center for many years.

Dorothy was born in Maxwell, California to Dr. George and Sarah (Stone) Harrison. She moved to Portland, Oregon when she was three. During the Great Depression, the family was forced to move to the Gresham area.
Dorothy attended Orient Grade School and graduated from Gresham High School in 1942. She always enjoyed being in school programs. She had the leading part in the 8th grade musical and the lead in the senior class play. She was on the debate team, was speaker for the Junior-Senior banquet, president of the Home Economics Club, and served on the student council. She was also active in 4-H and won the Grange Scholarship for 4-H summer school.

Dorothy worked as a secretary at the Troutdale Aluminum Plant before attending O.S.C. for a brief time. Nurses were badly needed so she became a Cadet Nurse at Portland Providence Hospital during the war and she loved it.

She married her sweetheart, Frank Akin, on June 8, 1946, after he returned from WWII. They lived in Gresham and had three children: Sarah, Mary Kay, and Frank Jr. Dorothy was an active member of P.E.O., but her church was where her talents were put into play. Her husband and she were long-time members of the wonderful group called the Fairview Mariners.

The family moved to Brookings, Oregon in 1958 where they had purchased a Ford dealership. Dorothy appreciated being able to be a stay-at-home mother. She was always active in her church and community. She was chairman of the Brookings Christian Women’s Club for two years.

Dorothy had a passion for writing and producing skits and programs for her church mostly. She shared her button and doll collection by showing them to various groups. She was a people person, and really enjoyed entertaining, gardening, playing cards, restoring old furniture, making button bracelets, and writing poetry as some of her hobbies.

Her family and friends were special to her. When the “empty nest” time came, she and her husband traveled a lot with friends and family in their motor home throughout the country. Dorothy & Frank also traveled to parts of Europe. She went elk hunting with her husband and good friends, the Grady’s for 27 years. After the children were raised, Frank Sr. announced to his hunting buddies that he would no longer go hunting with them. He said, “from now on, I’m taking Dorothy. She looks better, smells better, and cooks better!”

Dorothy and Frank moved to Hood River, Oregon in 1989. After her husband’s death in 2003, her last years were spent living at Down Manor & Brookside Manor, where she enjoyed many new friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Kay Taylor of Seaside Oregon; son, Frank Akin Jr. and his wife Sheryl, of Hood River, Oregon; son-in-law Dave Hansen of Clatskanie, Oregon; four granddaughters: Kerri Wright, Heidi Engen, Charity Delmore, and Adrienne Akin; two grandsons: Todd Slack and Jesse Taylor; 10 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She had never known what it was like to have grandparents so she really loved being a grandmother. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; and Mel Sandholm and Debbie Taylor. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Akin and daughter, Sarah Hansen.

A Celebration of Dorothy’s life will be 4:00 p.m., Friday, August 4th, with a reception following at Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Private entombment at Idlewilde Mausoleum will follow later.

The family would like to offer a time of visitation (where you can visit with family and view) from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 3rd at Anderson’s.

Memorials are encouraged to be made to; Brookside Manor Foundation, Hospice of the Gorge or the CMT Association and sent care of Anderson’s.

Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.