DOROThY INGRId GRAN
JANUARY 31, 1924 - Ap RIL 17, 2010
After a long, musical, wonderful life, Dorothy Ingrid Gran passed away on April 1, surrounded by close family and extraordinary care workers at the Regency Care Center in Arlington.
Though saddled with dementia the past few years, she exhibited the strong character and resolve for which she was always known, right to the end.
She was born to Jorgen and Anna Anderson in the family home on Camano Island and attended schools on the island and in Stanwood.
After graduation, she met and married Chester (Chet) N. Gran, and together they raised two children, .Judy Ann and Robert Allen.
Chet preceded her in death in 1985.
She is survived by her daughter Judy (Ron) of Lacey, and son Bob (Terry) of Camano Island, along with six grandchildren, Angie, Debbie, Doug, Pam, Brandi, and Virginia, and five greatgrandchildren, with a sixth on the way.
Aside from her family, Dorothy’s greatest love was music, especially big band era music, and she was an accomplished keyboard player. Not a day went by that didn’t include music at some point. She was one of the rare ones who played by ear only - it allowed her to play that wonderful music and flash her huge smile to the audience at the same time.
She was tremendously engaging, a social person who befriended others with a quick smile and an eagerness to help others with anything.
For many years, she traveled to the Josephine care facility to bring her music and happiness to the residents. It was a simple thing to Dorothy, and she relished these times when her audience laughed and sang and danced.
Her accordion band was renowned, and she played in dance bands for many years in the local area from the Norman Hall in Everett to and throughout the Skagit Valley, Legion halls and other dance venues. Though primarily a great pianist, just for a change she strapped on her accordion and wowed the audience with a great polka.
All the while, her huge smile flashed and sang the audience into submission.
Everyone loved it. Everyone will miss it.
Dorothy was the most giving person anyone could ever know. When others were sick, she never asked why or questioned need. Rather, she would be first on the spot to give comfort and care, regardless of any hardship to herself.
She will always be remembered for genuine caring demeanor and the peace she brought with her arrival.
A life celebration will start 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at the Camano Lutheran Church where she and Chet spent countless giving hours.
Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
