Dorothy Russell

Dorothy Lillian Russell, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on April 24th, 2026, at her home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. She was born in Cullasaja, North Carolina on July 23, 1928, to Robert “Bob” and Treva Russell. Dorothy completed school through the tenth grade before deciding to stay home to help her family in the home.

She moved to Washington in the mid 1950’s and worked several jobs in Skagit Valley including waitressing and at a sewing factory while raising her five children.

Dorothy was full of grit and determination. Being a child during the great depression she was raised to know how to survive and was well versed in gardening (gladiolas and dahlias being some over her favorite flowers), canning, preserving and sewing – she made incredible snap shirts. These skills she practiced throughout her life until her age prevented it. She also enjoyed fishing, camping and being outdoors – you could often find her camping at Baker Lake and fishing from the bank during the summer months.

She especially enjoyed the days when her family was all together for summer BBQs with a football game going in the front yard and her grandchildren running around her property on Prairie Lane picking huckleberries. Those happy, sunny days are a treasure to all of us.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Treva Russell; her four brothers, Buddy, David, George and Keith; a sister, Lucile; her grandson, Toby Shope; and her beloved dog Tiki.

She is survived by her children, John (Cindy) Shope, Carl Shope, Sherry (Mike) Petty, Randy (Brenda) Shope and Mike (Rhonda) Metcalf; her sisters, Fran and Betty; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dorothy was a fiercely independent spirit who lived life on her own terms and was passionate about her beliefs. Her absence leaves an undeniable sense of loss for her family.

A viewing will be at Hawthorne Funeral Home on Tuesday May 5th from 10 am-4 pm. A graveside service will take place on Wednesday May 6th at Union Cemetery in Sedro-Woolley, at 1 pm.