Dorothy J. Carmichael

Dorothy J. Carmichael, 81, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at Skylark Enhanced Care in Ashland.

Private family services will be held.

She was born Dorothy Jean Detrick in Torrington, Wyoming on August 6, 1926. Her family moved to Grants Pass before Dorothy’s senior year of high school and she was a member of Grants Pass High School’s Class of 1945. She attended Willamette University, majoring in vocal music. In 1948 she married Harry Graham Carmichael in Grants Pass. After 12 moves and 5 children they returned to Grants Pass in 1968. Dorothy worked as a court clerk at the Josephine County Courthouse for 17 years, retiring in 1986.

The Carmichael family attended First Baptist Church, now River Valley, for 40 years.

Dorothy’s passions were Jesus, her family, and music. She loved singing and playing piano. She sang in the choir and worked in the nursery at church. She also enjoyed crafts and sewing. She happily spent holidays and everydays entertaining her children, grandchildren, and friends. Dorothy will be remembered for her love of laughter and her warm and accepting nature.

Dorothy’s husband Harry passed away in 1994. She also lost a grandson, Geoffrey Carmichael in 1998. She has left behind five children, Michael Carmichael of Grants Pass, Patricia Skinner of Anchorage, Alaska, Corinne King of Grants Pass, Melissa Carmichael of Shoreline, Washington, and Robin Siskin of Mill Creek, Washington. Dorothy also had nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.