Dorothy Joanne Throne

Dorothy Joanne Throne, 86, of Gig Harbor, Washington (late of Central Point) passed away peacefully on September 28, 2018 at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, with her children close by. She had recently moved to Gig Harbor to be closer to her son.

She was born in Grants Pass, Oregon, on April 19, 1932 to Dorothy Helen (Rollings) Warren and Dean Harold Warren of Selma, Oregon. She married Marvin Arnold Throne, son of Francis Mildred (Arnold) Throne and Paul Altman Throne, on June 18, 1960. Dorothy and Marvin had three children, Linda Sue (Throne) Manning, of Arco, Idaho; Paul Warren Throne of Tacoma, Washington; and Marvin Lee Throne, of Molalla, Oregon. Marvin predeceased her in 2014. Dorothy and Marvin lived in Central Point from 1962 until Marvin's passing then Dorothy moved to Washington in 2018.

Dorothy lived nearly her entire life in southern Oregon. After graduating from Kerby High School in 1950, she attended Southern Oregon College, receiving her bachelor's degree in education in 1960 and a master of science in education in 1974. She made her career as a dedicated teacher, working in the Springfield, Medford, and Central Point school districts. She taught mainly third grade for twenty-two years at Jewett Elementary School in Central Point, and delighted in meeting her many former students later in life. She retired from the Central Point School District in 1990. During her career as a teacher she served as president of the Central Point School District Teachers Association, and after she retired she was active in the Oregon Retired Teachers Association and served as president of that organization.

She continued her passion for education by volunteering with the SMART reading program for elementary school children, and volunteering at the Central Point Library. She remained committed to the library throughout her retirement, and served as an officer of Central Point Friends of the Library for many years.

Dorothy had many interests that she cultivated throughout her life. As a young girl, she was a member of 4H and raised animals to show. She loved antiques and became an expert in antique pressed glass. She was active in the Southern Oregon Antiques Society, holding officer positions and coordinating volunteers for many years at the antique show. She was equally passionate about family history and supported the Southern Oregon Genealogical Society.

She was an excellent knitter, and an avid reader of mysteries. An important ritual was watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every night and getting the answers right, up until a week before she passed away. She was dedicated to crossword puzzles and became a fan of theater in her later years, attending the Camelot Theater for musicals and acting in productions at Twin Creeks Retirement Center.

She loved to travel and made many trips to the Oregon coast. She traveled across the United States several times, and enjoyed several cruises and visiting areas where family and newly discovered family members lived.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Linda (John), her son Paul (David), and her son Lee (Susan); grandchildren Jonathan Lee Throne, Eglin AFB/Hurlburt Field, Florida and David Allen Throne, Molalla, Oregon; and five nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brothers, Donald Warren of Central Point, and David Warren of Gates, Oregon.

A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held from 2 pm - 4 pm on Monday, October 22, at Twin Creeks Retirement Center, 888 Twin Creeks Crossing, Central Point. Flo Bohnert will officiate. She will be laid to rest with Marvin at Hillcrest Memorial Park in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Central Point Friends of the Library, 116 South Third Street, Central Point OR 97502.