Mel Anderson Obituary (1920

Mrs. Mel (Dorothy) Anderson died Wednesday morning, June 22, 2016, at her home in Ellensburg in the care of her daughters, Carolyn and Donna. She was 96. Dorothy was born May 26, 1920, to William Stewart Thomson and Emily Ada Jenkins Thomson, in London, England. Dorothy grew up in the outskirts of London, the middle of three sistersJeanne five years older and Cicely, five years younger. As a teenager Dorothy and her sister Cic bicycled around England and Wales spending nights in Youth Hostels. She completed matriculation (the equivalent of high school) and went to work as a bank clerk in London. Dorothy volunteered with the W.V.S. (Women's Voluntary Service) in a canteen, with her main motivation being able to talk to the 'Yanks'which she and Cicely thought were friendly and fun. Having lived through the bombing of London during WWII, Dorothy told stories about being on block watch during the 'black outs' where every window was covered so no light showed at night; about the whistle of the buzz bombs that you could hear coming, but never knew where they might hit; and about leaving for work in London and not knowing if her family or home would be there when she returned at night. In 1945, at a VJ celebration in London, Dorothy met U.S Army Master Sgt. Melvin A. Anderson. In October of 1945 Mel was shipped home and Dorothy tried for 19 months to secure passage on a ship to America. Dorothy finally arrived in New York with many other 'war brides' on March 5, 1947. She and Mel began their journey West to Ellensburg by car and they were married on March 11, in Carrollton, Missouri, having gotten the 3-day waiting period waived. The city girl from London and the cowboy from the Kittitas Valley made their first home on the Umptanum, in a 'shanty' with no power and no running water. Carolyn was born in the fall of 1949 and that particular winter Mel's job was feeding cattle in a remote area of the valley. The winter turned brutally cold with feet of snow and they feared the baby would freeze to death. The family then moved to the Manashtash area of the valley where they milked cows and raised corn and hay. In 1951 Bill was born and Donna was born in 1956. Dorothy was a lifetime member of the TransAtlantic Brides Association. Through that association she made several visits back to England with her young children. Dorothy became a naturalized U.S. citizen on November 12, 1952. Dorothy worked at various office jobs in Ellensburg after her children were in school, retiring from Central Washington State College (University) where she worked in the library. Dorothy's greatest passion without a doubt was her husband and her kids. She made being a working wife and loving mother look effortless. Her lesser passions were her garden which showed her English heritage with a profusion of flowers and colorsif there's a space, put a plant in it; her love for birds and critters; and the joy of a good cup of tea. She is preceded in death by her husband, her son, a grandson and her sister Jeanne. She is survived by her daughters Carolyn of Ellensburg and Donna of Pomeroy, daughter-in-law Becky in South Dakota, 5 grandchildren, a great granddaughter and nieces and nephews in the States. She is also survived by her sister Cicely and nieces and nephews in England. The family suggests donations be made in Dorothy's name to Hospice Friends, 302 S Main, Ellensburg, WA 98926 Graveside service and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 16, 2016, at 1:00pm at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, 1900 N. Brick Road, Ellensburg. All are welcome. SERVICES Funeral service Saturday, July 16, 2016 1:00 PM I.O.O.F Cemetery 1900 N. Brick Road, Ellensburg WA , 98926