Dorothy Washington's Obituary
A precious one from us has gone, a voice we loved is stilled,
A place is vacant in our home which never can be filled,
And after a lonely heartache, and many a silent tear,
We’ll always have a beautiful memory of one we loved so dear.
Dorothy “Pat” Washington, 87, of Waterloo, Iowa, entered eternal rest on Saturday, November 9, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center. Born on May 11, 1938, in Des Moines, Iowa, she was the beloved daughter of Lawrence and Cecile Hall. Dorothy graduated from East Des Moines High School, attended business college, and later moved to Waterloo, where she married the love of her life, Gaylord Washington, on July 20, 1968.
Dorothy retired from John Deere Tractor Works after 24 years of dedicated service. A woman of deep faith, she served faithfully at Faith Temple American Baptist Church on the Mother’s Board and as a nurse’s aide.
Creative, talented, and known for her gentle spirit, Dorothy spent more than 50 years as an antique collector and dealer. She was also a proud member of a Button Club, where she built a beautiful award-winning collection that reflected her artistic eye and love for craftsmanship.
One of the sweetest parts of her daily routine was the evening phone call she shared with her loving brother, Pee-Wee, who checked on her every day between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. – a tender reminder of how deeply she was treasured.
Dorothy is survived by her siblings, Norman (Eloise) Hall, Ricky Hill, and Kay (Lamar) Hayes; granddaughter, Shaela Smith (Kelvin Adcock); step-children, Monica (Harvey) Anderson, Gaylord Washington Jr., Lynne (Tim) Mays, and Rhonda (Michael) Burke; niece, Ashley Hall; great-granddaughters, Serenitee, Sereinah, and Sharriah; special friends, Alice and Fred Sanders; and a host of step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and step-great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Gaylord Washington; her daughter, Sherrie Shepard; stepson, Romaul Washington; and stepdaughter, Phyllis Simpson.
Dorothy “Pat” Washington will be forever remembered for her kindness, unwavering faith, and gentle, joyful spirit. Her life was a gift to all who knew her, and her legacy of love and grace will continue to shine through the generations..
Sanders Funeral Service is assisting the family.
The Sanders Service
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