Mary Byrnadene Dolbey

Mary Dolbey was born in Iowa Park TX on January 29, 1939 to John William Byrne and Deda (Swan) Defreece. She moved to Oklahoma for several years, then to Pueblo Colorado. She graduated from Centennial High School in 1957. Attended college first at Pueblo Community College in 1958-59, and moved on to graduate in 1961 from Colorado State College in Greeley, CO. She met John Dolbey during junior year of college and married after graduation in August of 1961.

John and Mary moved to Longview WA in 1961 after acquiring employment for both of them through phone interviews. Mary began teaching 2nd grade at Kesler Elementary School. John started teaching Business Education at Mark Morris High School.

In 1964, Mary stopped teaching to have her three children John Dolbey, Steven Dolbey and Suzanne Rothmier. Mary, as a loving mother, was very supportive. She loved to play with them as infants, go to school and sports activities during their childhoods. She returned to work as a librarian once all children were attending school. She worked her last years as librarian at Robert Gray Elementary School.

Mary and her family would travel by car every summer during those years to Denver and Pueblo Colorado to see their grandparents and cousins. Mary loved to travel and John and her went to almost every state in the United States. They traveled abroad to England, Scottland, and Whales. As members of Friendship Force, they traveled to United Kingdom several times, Germany, South Korea, and Japan.

Mary was very active at Longview Community Church. She was a member of circles, small groups, Family Life activities, and Founder of Couples Retreat with 2 other women. She was one of the first of our counseling center volunteers and senior adult ministries.

Mary was a very skilled person with her hands. She quilted, polymer clay crafting, and was very enthusiastic with beading of all sorts. She created many beautiful things to share with people.

Besides her husband John, Mary is survived by her children, a brother Jim, and 3 granddaughters Mareeca Dolbey, Mackenzie and Daphne Rothmier. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Danny and Barbara Sue.

A Celebration of her life will be held at Steele Chapel at Longview Memorial Park on Saturday, December 21, at 1pm