Dorothy Donovan St. Onge

Dottie, as she was known to her friends, has joined her life long dancing partner, Rene St.Onge, who pre-deceased her. Dottie was born in Seattle in 1921 and graduated from Ballard high school in 1939 and attended business school. She and Rene raised their family in Seattle where they owned Kwik Kopy Printing Company for over 30 years. They retired to Port Ludlow in 1982.Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother who was fiercely independent. After having a son, Jay, with Down Syndrome, she defied the experts of the time who advised her to institutionalize him, keeping him at home instead. She became a strong and vocal advocate for special education programs in the Seattle area, for mentally handicapped children. Jay lived with her until her death. Dottie was an avid golfer, an excellent bridge player, a wonderful dancer and enjoyed traveling with her family. She will be dearly missed by her daughters, Lynn Ray and Renee Foster (Jerry) of Bainbridge Island and by her son, Jay St.Onge. Dorothy is also survived by eight grandchildren, Aaron (Jane), Adam (Erin), Ryun, Robin, Roxanne and Jordan Foster and Melissa and Jennifer Ray and by three great-grandchildren.Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Memorial Mass on Friday, June 26, 2009 at 11:00 AM at St. Cecilia Catholic Church on Bainbridge Island.Remembrances may be made in Dorothy's name to Northwest Center, P.O. Box 80827, Seattle, WA 98108-0827 (www.nwcenter.org), the Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Avenue NE, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125 (www.alz.org/alzwa) or a charity of your choosing.