Dorothy V. Walter Power, 82, died May 1, 2003, at Skagit Valley Hospital after an extended illness.

Dorothy was born Jan. 10, 1921, on Whidbey Island. She grew up here and attended Oak Harbor schools.

After high school, she met and married Stan Power, also from the Oak Harbor area, on Feb. 15, 1940. A few years later they moved and settled in Burlington, where Stan opened Power’s Pharmacy.

Stan and Dorothy raised their family in Burlington and Dorothy spent those years as a wonderful homemaker, mother and wife. She especially enjoyed family involvement in scouting, camping, boating, sports and Burlington Methodist Church. Dorothy was also a talented flower gardener and decorator. In the early 1970s, after her husband Stan’s death in 1969, she met, worked and lived with Rich Brandt, her devoted companion for the rest of her life. Rich owned Hannaford Drug in Burlington and he and Dorothy operated the store not only as a business but as a labor of love. They retired in 2001 with many fond memories of the store that was frequented by customers who became their friends.

Dorothy is survived by Rich Brandt of Burlington; son Ray Power and wife Ardell and their son Todd of Bellingham; son Don Power and wife Michele of Burlington and their children, Tye and Julie Power of Chandler, Texas, and Katie and Jason Lambert of Burlington; brother Ray Walter and wife Betty of Oak Harbor; and numerous other nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to all of Dorothy’s caregivers in the last several years, especially Dr. Tianna Tsitsis and Dr. C.J. Kuan.

Memorials may be given to Burlington Volunteer Firefighter’s Association Cross Fund at 350 Sharon St., Burlington 98233.

At Dorothy’s request, there will be no services, but a gathering of immediate family members to celebrate her life.

Arrangements are by Hulbush Funeral Home, Burlington.