Eleanor Lois Dow

February 25, 1921 - June 06, 2015

Eleanor Lois Dow

February 25, 1921 - June 06, 2015

Obituary

Eleanor Lois Dow was born in Raymond, WA, February 25, 1921, to Ben and Hazel Winters. She was joyously received into heaven on June 6, 2015.

Growing up in Raymond, Eleanor was an active 4-H member, girl scout, First Baptist Youth Group, drama, glee club, pep club, and played the violin in her high school orchestra. She earned money as a maid, clerk, waitress and “soda jerk” in the local ice cream fountain. She graduated from Raymond High School in 1939.

Eleanor attended Linfield College at McMinnville, Oregon for two years and then transferred to WSU in Pullman, Washington because of her major in Home Economics. It was at the First Baptist Church in Pullman that she met her future husband Irv Dow who was also attending WSU. At that time, she was president of the Washington State American Baptist Youth Fellowship.

In April of 1944, she married Irving Dow in Raymond, WA. In April of the 1945, they returned with their baby daughter, Carolyn to WSU right after World War II ended. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dow worked; Irv as a custodian, and Eleanor as a waitress and also in the college library.

In 1948, son Rodney was born at Colfax, WA. After graduation, the young family moved to Yakima and later to Prosser where Eleanor eventually substitute taught in both the junior and high schools and taught Math and Science full-time in the junior high, and Home Economics in the high school, for two years each.

Eleanor was a member of the Heart and Home Extension Club for 25 years. She was a 4-H leader, a Fair judge, and taught Sunday School and Bible School for 50+ years in the First Baptist Church in Prosser. She and her husband were youth leaders , taking kids to many youth events and camping trips. She was an avid supporter of the American Baptist Women, taking an active part in local and state offices. She was a special supporter of mission work around the world.

Eleanor thoroughly enjoyed traveling to foreign countries with her husband who was sponsored by AID (Agency for International Development). Mr. and Mrs. Dow spent time in Egypt, Jordan, South Africa, and Pakistan.

Eleanor enjoyed crafts, sewing, gardening, making and sending greeting cards, cooking, and entertaining family and friends. She was a pastor’s wife for two years as her husband Irving was pastor of the Vista Baptist Church in Kennewick, WA. Eleanor and Irv were enthusiastic supporters of Sunnyside Community and Mid-Columbia Concerts in the Tri-Cities. Eleanor served the First Baptist Church in Prosser for 56 years, and then transferred to the First Baptist Church in Sunnyside where she served for four years, before moving to the Charbonneau Retirement Home in October of 2009. She continued to make and send out cards, loved playing “Bean Bag” baseball with her fellow Seniors, and especially enjoyed the independence, coziness, and spectacular view of her lovely apartment. She was able to continue attending weekly church services and Bible studies.

In June 2012, she fell breaking her hip. This began a long journey of moving to various hospitals, rehab, and assisted living facilities. She lived in Bellingham,WA and was a member of the First Baptist Church there her last two and a half years enjoying involvement in the Esther Circle and making craft posters for the social hall. Her final months were in Sedro Woolley at a Family Adult Home called Harmony House run by relatives.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Hazel Winters, one brother Buford Winters and husband Irving Dow. She is survived by four children, Carolyn Goble of Bellingham, WA, Rodney Dow and wife Lisa of Selah, WA, Gregory Dow and wife Carol of Richland, and Diana Hall and husband Bryce of Kennewick. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ginger Goble -Van Diest and Partner, Laurie, Jackie Hollander and husband Paul of Lynden, WA, Ben Dow of Kennewick, Charlie Dow of Denver, CO, twins Chloe and Mackenzie Hall of Kennewick, and Julian Dow of Selah. Eleanor is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hannah, and Sarah Hollander of Lynden, WA and Peyton, Windsor, and Honour Goble-VanDiest of Seattle, and Charlotte Dow of Kennewick.

Funeral Service will be held June 27th at Noon at First Baptist Church of Bellingham.

The graveside service will be held at the Prosser Cemetery in Prosser, WA on June 29th at Noon.

Please share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook.

Funeral Service

  • Date & Time: June 27, 2015 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: First Baptist Church
  • Location: 110 Flora St Bellingham, WA 98225 - (Get Directions)

Graveside Service

  • Date & Time: June 29, 2015 (12:00 AM)
  • Venue: Prosser Cemetery
  • Location: 1601 Paterson Ave Prosser, WA 99350 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (509) 78-6-2797

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9 responses to Eleanor Lois Dow

  1. I met Eleanor when Bruce and I moved to Prosser with our young son Nathan. Immediately upon meeting her I felt a kindred spirit. She loved the Lord, knew His word and and was excellent example of a Proverbs 31 woman. Besides, she was just fun! Fortunate is her family to have so many years with her. She was a tremendous encouragement to me for the 11 years that we lived in Prosser. I will miss her yearly newsy letter, (thank you Carolyn), but will catch up when the day comes for me to join her.

  2. Tara Webber says:

    I’m so sorry for your family’s loss. I hope you find comfort in God’s promise of a resurrection & in the many wonderful memories you made & shared together. John 5:28,29. You have my condolences.

  3. Thank you, Carolyn for letting me know that your mother Eleanor has passed away. She had such a warm and welcoming presence, that she made friends who lasted a lifetime, even if she only knew them for a short time. That would be me, for one. Our family lived next door to Eleanor and Irv when he took a sabbatical at Purdue University in West Lafayette Indiana. (Diana was the only child at home with them by then, so she was the only one of her family that I knew. But please extend my condolences to all of you.) Her friendship enriched my life, and she always stayed in touch over the many years and many miles. I will treasure the memories of your very special parents.
    Sincerely,
    Mariellen Neudeck

  4. What a legacy! Totally Christian. A fabulous influence on our family in it’s early years in Prosser. A Christ-centered couple that modeled the person they loved most—-Jesus. We had a long and joyous friendship only to be terminated on this earth temporarily. A great reunion to look forward to in the presence of Jesus. Thank you Eleanor and Irv.

  5. Linda Beech says:

    Carolyn: Very sorry to hear of Eleanor passing, I was just remembering the both of you the other day.
    I hope she went easily and with great care, of which I know you would do.

    My life has changed, I had to have rotator cuff surgery, so have been off work for 7 weeks, but I also met a great man in December, and I am selling my home, and moving, a lot of it has been done except furniture, etc. The house is on the market, so hopefully will sell soon. I just started back to work, in fact today, but limited on what I can do, as can only lift 1 lb yet on left arm. But Mark, has really been great, and won’t let me overdo. I am moving to his(our home) in Stanwood. A big change for me.

    I was such a pleasure to take care of your mom, and meeting you also. She was a real joy. Please take care of yourself. I saw your number the other day, and now can’t find it, darn. 360 223 5023 is mine, if you would like to call. Linda( Caregiver)

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