Obituaries for May 25, 2017

Read the complete obituaries in the Thursday, May 25, print edition of the Post-Record.

Longtime C-W Chamber director dies

Friends remember Dorothy Penn as spirited, independent, one of the successful ‘Pushy Broads’ group

Dorothy Penn, known throughout the Camas-Washougal community for her dedication to community groups and longtime stint as the director of the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, died on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, in Lees Summit, Missouri. She was 87.

Dorothy was born July 6, 1929, in Coffeyville, Kansas. She married Harlan Penn in 1948. Harlan preceded her in death May 29, 2006. Shortly after her marriage, they moved to the Pacific Northwest where she worked for Bell Telephone System. They moved to the Kansas City area in 1953, where Dorothy worked for a contractor’s firm.

The Penns returned to Camas in 1970, and in 1982, Dorothy became the executive director of the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce. Through her role there, she was active in many organizations including East County People, Washougal Lions Club, Washington’s Centennial Committee, and the state’s tourism committee. During her final year with the Chamber, her many involvements in the community led to her being honored as a Woman of Achievement Award by the YWCA.

Gail Gregg, of Vancouver, worked with Penn at the Chamber and says she remembers her as “a wonderful lady who was highly regarded and very active in the community.”

Gregg added that it was unusual at that time — during the ‘80s — to have two women running a Chamber of Commerce, and that she and Penn had “some lean times” when they worked together, often pitching in for nothing more than the satisfaction of helping their community.

Along with other prominent women in the C-W community, Penn belonged to a group that called themselves “the Pushy Broads,” Gregg recalled.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Susan (Wayne-deceased) Hines; son, Kenneth Penn; as well as two grandsons and two great-granddaughters.
At Dorothy’s request there will be no funeral service. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Park Lawn Funeral Home, 816-523-1234, of Kansas City, Missouri, is in charge of arrangements.

J. Frank Gillespie

J. Frank Gillespie, of Camas, died on Friday, May 12, 2017, after a 15-year fight with Parkinson’s disease and myotonic dystrophy. He was 92.

Frank’s memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, May 26, at Camas United Methodist Church, 706 N.E. 14th Ave. Memorial contributions may be made to CUMC or Portland Shriners Hospitals for Children. Straub’s Funeral Home in Camas were in charge of the funeral arrangements. To send condolences or sign his online guestbook, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.

William E. ‘Wild Bill’ Wenzel

William Edward “Wild Bill” died in Clackamas, Oregon, on Friday, May 19, 2017. He was 75.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Thursday, May 25, at 11 a.m., at Brown’s Stoller Memorial Chapel, 410 N.E. Garfield St., Camas. Interment will be at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the National Rifle Association.

Brown’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Sign Bill’s guest book at www.brownsfh.com.

Linda G. Pass

Linda Genine Pass died in Washougal on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. She was 63.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 27, at 29508 N.E. Stauffer Road, Camas. Memorial donations may be made to Randy Kobelin at the celebration of life.

Barbara R. Dubay

Barbara Rose Dubay, died in Vancouver on Friday, May 12, 2017. She was 86.

At the request of the family, there will be no service. Brown’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Sign Barbara’s guest book at www.brownsfh.com.

Barbara R. Palmer Foley

Barbara Ruth Palmer Foley died on Friday, May 19, 2017. She was 86.

Brown’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements. Sign her guest book at www.brownsfh.com.

Read the complete obituaries in the Thursday, May 25, print edition of the Post-Record.