Dorothy Carmody Obituary (1927

Dorothy M. Carmody (Oneal) passed away on June 10 at the age of 98. A warm and steadfast presence, Dorothy was a world traveler, avid reader, knitter, aspiring genealogist, lover of tennis and college basketball (go Zags), our matriarch, and one-half of the truest love story we’ve known. Also, she did the crossword every morning in pen. Dorothy entered this world on the stormy evening of August 4, 1927, in White Salmon, Washington. Each summer, Dorothy’s mother Mary Beckman Oneal would pack up young Dorothy and her sister LaVerne to follow their father Crockett E. “Tip” Oneal’s highway construction work throughout the Northwest. One of these adventures brought the family to Ellensburg where Tip’s team built the old Vantage highway. This lovely town became Dorothy’s lifelong home. In 4th grade, shortly after moving to Ellensburg, she entered the all-school marbles tournament only to lose all her marbles to the school champion, sixth grader Jim Carmody. She swore she would win them back one day, which she shrewdly did by marrying Jim in 1949. But before that fateful day, she attended Ellensburg High School and spent two years at Whitman College before transferring to Stanford University where she graduated cum laude in Hispanic American Studies. Dorothy and Jim had four children: James Cortland, Patrick Oneal, Laurel Ann, and Kerry Lynn. In the early years, Dorothy held down the fort during the week while Jim joined Tip at construction sites. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother, a Camp Fire and Horizon Club leader, a member of Study Club and Chapter DN, P.E.O. She made absolutely expert level macaroni salad and mint chocolate chip ice cream cake. And she did it all with style and grace. Jim and Dorothy were like wind and sails. Jim supplied the energy, Dorothy the direction. They were deeply involved in the social fabric of Ellensburg as members of the Methodist Church, Rigadoon Dance Club, the Elks, and running the wholesale business Central Distributors. Together with friends they owned a cabin at Lake Cle Elum and spent many summer days assembling driftwood rafts with the kids that would break apart on launch, flipping pancakes on the wood stove, and always winning at Hearts. Once their youngest had flown, Dorothy and Jim turned their boundless energy to traveling. They enjoyed the “blue highways,” the roads less traveled. They visited all 50 states along with Mexico, Nova Scotia, and many European countries. Spurred by an interest in genealogy, they scoured archives and locals’ memories in Virginia, North Carolina, Nebraska, and beyond—including a 5,000 mile road trip to Canada and Alaska where they located the section of the Alcan Highway that Dorothy’s father Tip built during World War II. Their four children blessed Dorothy and Jim with 12 grandchildren, and eventually 17 great-grandchildren (so far). She was a fun-loving grandmother who always showed up, clocking thousands of miles and innumerable flights to attend soccer, baseball, and basketball games; gymnastics, track, and swim meets; ultimate frisbee; dance and piano recitals……..whew! How did they manage? They took each of their grandchildren on a “12th year odyssey” to visit any state of their choosing. This helped ensure the love of travel lives on through the bloodline. In their later years Dorothy and Jim enjoyed playing tennis, owning a condo at Crescent Bar, and spending time with dear friends and family. Dorothy served as a Deacon and elder at the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church. When Jim passed away in 2016 after 67 years of marriage, Dorothy left a tear on his pillow each morning for years. Their love lives on in the tears we shed today. Dorothy Carmody was one of a kind. Her beauty, wit, devotion, kindness, and adventurous nature are an inspiration to all who were blessed to know her. The family would like to thank Jennie Hodge who for the past two years has been a steady friend to Dorothy, nourishing and enriching her life with food, conversation, and visits from baby pygmy goats. We also appreciate Abby Lopez, who jumped in with such attentive kindness for Dorothy in her last days. And finally, we are deeply grateful to the wonderful caregivers at Avemere Assisted Living, and to Andy Schock of Kittitas Valley Healthcare and Dr. Silvia Labes of Memorial Cornerstone Medicine for their skilled and compassionate care. Graveside service honoring Dorothy will be held at 11 am, Friday, Jul 24, 2026, at the IOOF Cemetery columbarium on Brick Road in Ellensburg, Washington. Online condolences may be made at www.Brooksidefuneral.com. Donations in Dorothy’s memory may be made to a Central Washington charity of your choice.