Dorothy Irene Cox died peacefully in her sleep Feb. 27, 2009, at the age of 91, in Friday Harbor. She was born July 3, 1918, to Raymond and Myrtle Perkins and lived in Portland and Milwaukie, Ore., most of her life. During this time she attended Highland Baptist Church where she met the love of her life, Willard L. Cox. After she and Willard graduated from Jefferson High School, they were married in 1938 and made their home in Portland. They had two children, Kenneth L. Cox and JoAnn Sample. Dorothy and Willard’s love of camping led them to see the United States with their children and later to see the world for themselves. They also shared a love of square dancing. After Willard’s death in 1985, she continued to live in Milwaukie until 1988, when she moved to Oak Harbor to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law and to continue her cancer treatments.

She became active in the Oak Harbor Senior Center, making many friends and taking several trips, and also the Oak Harbor Library where her love of reading made her a constant visitor. Macular degeneration claimed her eyesight, but not her spirit, and through the library she discovered a new world through talking books.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Willard; brother, Richard; and her parents. She is survived by her son, Kenneth Cox of Oregon City, Ore.; daughter, JoAnn Sample of Friday Harbor; sister, Roberta Enos of Portland, Ore.; seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter. At her request no services will be held. Interment will be at Lincoln Memorial Park in Portland. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oak Harbor branch of the Sno-Isle Library System at 1000 SE Regatta Dr., Oak Harbor, WA 98277, or the American Cancer Society.

The family wishes to thank all the staff at Islands Convalescent Center for all the loving support they gave to her during these last months of her life. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Dorothy, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.