Salem-Dorothy was born August 30, 1922 in Portland, OR and died Saturday, October 3, 2009. She was 87. She grew up in the Salem area and graduated from Salem High School in 1939 at age 16. As a child she had a strong desire to become an elementary school teacher. She attended WOU in Monmouth and received her Teaching Certificate at age 19. She enjoyed music and studied voice as well as Elementary Education. She sang at various events to help pay her way through college. Also, in 1939, she met her future husband of 59 years, Bob Gahlsdorf. They were married in 1943. Bob died in 2002.
Dorothy’s first teaching job was in Hillsboro, OR in 1942. She taught 5th 6th, 7th and 8th grade music. After World War II and Bob’s service in the US Navy ended, they returned to Salem to begin their future together. Dorothy began substitute teaching in Salem Public Schools in 1954. In 1956 she started teaching permanently at Four Corners School. She taught 1st grade for 2 years and then moved to 3rd grade until her retirement in 1984. She was active in Children’s Theater, served as a reading mentor at Grant Elementary School, and helped out at Eastwood Hobby Shop (Bob’s store). She sang in the First Presbyterian Church Choir for 35 years and volunteered at the Marion-Polk County Food Bank.
Dorothy was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. We will all miss her tremendously. She is survived by her sister, Eloise Smith of Salem, son, Chuck and daughter-in-law, Olivia from Los Angeles, son Roger and daughter-in-law Cynthia from Portland, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Services will be held at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service at 605 Commercial St., SE, Salem, OR on Friday, October 9th at 11am. Donations can be made in her name to the Marion-Polk County Food Bank.
Beloved father, husband, and friend to many. Died at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. He was born in Falls City, Oregon, the son of Mary and Thomas Dunlop. He graduated from Dearborn High School in Deerfield, Chicago after the family moved there in 1948.
He is survived by his wife Irene, son Jim, and daughter Jessica, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two foster grandchildren, his brother Martin, sisters Catherine and Sarah.