Dorothy Anne (Dunn) Tierney

Dorothy Anne “Dotty” Tierney, 89, of Redmond, Oregon passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, June 4, 2020 surrounded by loved ones.

She was born in Vancouver, WA to William Hudson Dunn and Harriet Maude Sage. She was the oldest of three; her younger brothers being William Hudson Dunn Junior and Robert Dunn (deceased). She graduated from Vancouver High School in 1948 and later attended the University of Portland (fittingly, the same year they first admitted women). She graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. She was the President of the Co-Ed Musicians Club, and a member of both the Portland Junior Symphony and Portland Symphony. During her time at the University of Portland she met John Norbert Tierney. They later married on August 2, 1952 at the Cathedral in Vancouver, WA.

John and Dorothy spent the early years of their marriage in Vancouver, WA and Pendleton, OR. They later resided in North Portland. In 1969 John, Dorothy, and their five children moved to Bellevue, WA. Dorothy taught music with the Seattle School District from 1970 to 1995 when she retired. Coleman, Harrison, and Franklin are among the schools where she taught both band and orchestra. During that time, she was awarded the Golden Apple Award for “Excellence in Teaching.”

She spent her retirement playing the cello in the Snoqualmie Symphony and in numerous quartet groups. She also had a wonderful time traveling to Mexico, Germany, Austria, Italy and Williamsburg, and tending to her garden. Her home was a gathering place for her friends, ten grandchildren, and later ten great-grandchildren. Dorothy brought radiating joy to everyone who met her.

Dorothy’s spirit will live on in those inspired by her passion for all things good and beautiful. She shared her appreciation for music of all kinds: including that of her Nephews, Paul Collins and William Mapp, Symphony and Opera. She fostered a of love of art, fine art and that crafted by local and world artists. She delighted in seeing flowers bloom and birds on a feeder. She welcomed others with foods she enjoyed-especially cheese, wine and chocolate. Books spilled from her shelves, Murder Mysteries, Spiritual Inspiration, books on Art and Cooking. She listened to people and entertained new ideas. She advocated for the voices of justice, was intolerant of bigotry and taught peace by the way she lived and loved.

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband John Norbert Tierney (June 1997) and her daughter Laurie Anne Tierney (August 2005). She is survived by four of her children and their children. Daniel Orvine Tierney, and his children Kelsey Tushar and Nicholas Tierney (mother Jill Edwards), and Emily Tierney (mother Penelope Tracy Tierney, deceased 2011). Rebecca Ruth Henderson and her husband Mark, and their children Sean Henderson and Katie Clarkson. Mary Tierney Rifredi and her husband Ronald, and their daughter Natalie Tierney. Sara Jane Crivellone and her husband Greg, and their children Madeline Bryant, Jacob Crivellone, John Crivellone and Anthony Crivellone.

There will be a Rosary at the St. John’s Catholic Church in Condon, Oregon at 7pm on Friday June 12th, 2020. A private family funeral mass will be held at the Church at 12:30 pm on Saturday June 13th, 2020 with a public burial to follow at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Cemetery in Condon. A reception following the graveside service will be held at the Tierney House (323 N. Lincoln, in Condon).

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