1924
Dorothy
2012
Dorothy Klemm
February 25, 1924 — March 23, 2012
02/25/1924 – 03/23/2012
Dorothy was born in Corona, NY in 1924 to Margaret and James Jones. She spent her childhood in Holbrook, Long Island before some of the roads in town were paved. She and her siblings walked four miles to church on Sundays and Dorothy developed a love for walking early on. During WW II Dorothy was a real life “Rosie the Riveter” and worked at Grumman Aircraft assembling fighter planes for the war effort.
In 1948, Dorothy married Frank Klemm and they lived in the house (which he built with a friend) until his death in 1987. Although Dorothy worked intermittently, she will be best remembered by her family as a caregiver who opened her home to relatives and acquaintances in need. Dorothy cared for her own mother for several years, in addition to her father-in-law, a brother-in-law, his wife and four children, and several nephews. In 1963, Frank and Dorothy’s godson Fred Plume came to live with them after the death of his parents.
In 1994, Dorothy moved to Bellingham to be near her son Richard, who had relocated there after visiting the area while in the Navy. It was in Bellingham that Dorothy developed a new network of friends at the Parkway Chateau where she delighted in playing BINGO, Bean Bag Baseball, going on bus trips, attending exercise classes and taking daily walks. On Tuesday mornings, she was a regular attendant at Catholic Communion.
Over the past few years Dorothy had many challenging health issues, which she faced with an uncomplaining nature and a fierce determination to remain independent. She died the way she lived, with grace and a quiet “never give up” attitude that had served her well over her lifetime.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Frank, a son (also named Frank), her brothers Harold, George, Albert, Robert, a sister Alma, and two brothers who died in childhood. She is survived by her children Richard (Bellingham) and Paula (Delaware) and a godson Fred Plume, his wife Vickie and their children and grandchildren (Ohio).
Dorothy’s children extend their thanks to Dorothy’s friends (past and present) at the Parkway Chateau, her physician Dr. Vanderbilt, Nate Noel, her physical therapy assistant, the Bellingham Fire Department and paramedics, and especially her caregiver and friend Irene Kruzich.
Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband Frank in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, New York. Memorials may be made to Womencare Shelter, 4120 Meridian St., Suite #220, Bellingham WA, 98226.
Dorothy was born in Corona, NY in 1924 to Margaret and James Jones. She spent her childhood in Holbrook, Long Island before some of the roads in town were paved. She and her siblings walked four miles to church on Sundays and Dorothy developed a love for walking early on. During WW II Dorothy was a real life “Rosie the Riveter” and worked at Grumman Aircraft assembling fighter planes for the war effort.
In 1948, Dorothy married Frank Klemm and they lived in the house (which he built with a friend) until his death in 1987. Although Dorothy worked intermittently, she will be best remembered by her family as a caregiver who opened her home to relatives and acquaintances in need. Dorothy cared for her own mother for several years, in addition to her father-in-law, a brother-in-law, his wife and four children, and several nephews. In 1963, Frank and Dorothy’s godson Fred Plume came to live with them after the death of his parents.
In 1994, Dorothy moved to Bellingham to be near her son Richard, who had relocated there after visiting the area while in the Navy. It was in Bellingham that Dorothy developed a new network of friends at the Parkway Chateau where she delighted in playing BINGO, Bean Bag Baseball, going on bus trips, attending exercise classes and taking daily walks. On Tuesday mornings, she was a regular attendant at Catholic Communion.
Over the past few years Dorothy had many challenging health issues, which she faced with an uncomplaining nature and a fierce determination to remain independent. She died the way she lived, with grace and a quiet “never give up” attitude that had served her well over her lifetime.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband Frank, a son (also named Frank), her brothers Harold, George, Albert, Robert, a sister Alma, and two brothers who died in childhood. She is survived by her children Richard (Bellingham) and Paula (Delaware) and a godson Fred Plume, his wife Vickie and their children and grandchildren (Ohio).
Dorothy’s children extend their thanks to Dorothy’s friends (past and present) at the Parkway Chateau, her physician Dr. Vanderbilt, Nate Noel, her physical therapy assistant, the Bellingham Fire Department and paramedics, and especially her caregiver and friend Irene Kruzich.
Dorothy will be laid to rest next to her husband Frank in Calverton National Cemetery on Long Island, New York. Memorials may be made to Womencare Shelter, 4120 Meridian St., Suite #220, Bellingham WA, 98226.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dorothy Klemm, please visit our flower store.
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