Beloved by her family, Gloria “Skip” Dodds died snug in her own bed on April 6, in the home she shared with Pam and Robert Rowland nestled in the hills of Sublimity. Family, friends and her ever-present little dog at her side.
Affectionately nicknamed “Skip” as a child, the name, and her vibrant, youthful spirit endured through her life.
Skip was born in Wheaton, Minn., the youngest of the five daughters of Ralph and Blanche Dodds. The baby of the family, she was adored by her loving sisters, Edith, Doris, Gayle and Ilene who were all waiting for her in heaven.
As a child, Skip was a tomboy, accomplished at high school softball in Washougal, Wash., and a perennial animal lover. Never did she go without owning a little dog or beautiful Arabian horse.
Skip had a magical way with all living things and a compassionate spirit that drove her to an accomplished nursing career.
After graduating from Good Samaritan Nursing School in Portland in 1953 she worked in Seattle for a few years before settling into work for Dr. Olwyn K. Davies in Silverton. Tirelessly she devoted long days in Dr. Davies’ office–9 to 9 most of the time – and she loved it. Patients loved her and waited for hours to be seen as evidenced by her overflowing photo board of “Skip’s Kids” in the office. It was her life and joy to work there.
In her younger years, she loved driving and always had her tanned left arm out the window – her signature “summer look.”
She loved going camping or to the beach to look for agates in the sand. She loved black coffee, Roth’s maple bars, blue glass birds, colorful African violets and her favorite holiday was Halloween. She loved all things Silverton – Homer Davenport Days, The Pet Parade and any goings on about town.
She was the family photographer as well, documenting every gathering for many, many years. Her walls and closets brimming with old photos.
She never married and did not have any children. Instead, she showered her love on her sisters, with whom she had an uncommonly close bond, and the myriad nieces, nephews, friends and pets she had in her life.
She was the aunt with the latest fancy car ready to take you on an adventure, who gave the most exquisitely wrapped Christmas gifts and never failed to offer a sugary treat when mom wasn’t looking. She was the special aunt that belonged to all of us, the one we didn’t have to share with a husband or other kids and we loved her in all her youthful, mysterious and fiercely independent ways.
She will be missed by her surviving family. Nieces Pamela Jones Rowland and husband Robert of Sublimity; Linda Locke Henson and husband Roy Henson of E. Wenatchee, Wash., Patricia Brittan Caster and husband Terry Caster of Scotts Mills. Nephew Harry Brittan and wife Nancy Brittan of Escondido, Calif. As well as many great-nieces and great-nephews and special friends including Damon and Jan Spink and their daughters, Katie and Annie, of Silverton.
Per her wishes, no services are being held. Her cremation was handled by Weddle Funeral Home in Stayton. A private celebration of life was held by the family in Lincoln City. In lieu of flowers, donations to Silverton Hospital Nursing Scholarship fund or Willamette Valley Humane Society are welcome.
