Dorothea Elizabeth Hart went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 19 at the age of 98. She was born in Huntington Park, CA on June 13, 1911. She has been living with her son and daughter-in-law Ruth on Vashon for the past 15 years.

Her interest in music ranged from Chopin, Mozart and Debussy to Gershwin, Romberg and Berlin. She developed her own style of “Evangelistic Hymn Playing” and loved to create unique hymn arrangements. She taught piano in their home for many years. Many of her students became church pianists.

Her love of the family was especially evident as they gathered often in her small living room for special occasions. For many years, while living in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vashon, Dorothea extended her warm hospitality to women who met in her home for Bible studies.

Her husband, William Sr. of 63 years passed away on November 19, 1993. The next spring, she moved to Vashon Island with Bill and Ruth. With her encouragement, mentoring and coaching, she helped start an island women’s Bible study that has touched the lives of many women here on Vashon.

During the past couple of years her health deteriorated to the point that she began receiving hospice care early in the summer of last year. Over her 98 years the Lord provided all the strength and resources that she needed to carry out the various ministries to which He had called her to serve – no matter how challenging. Her loving, encouraging influence touched the lives of many family and friends.

She is survived by her son Bill and wife Ruth, three grandchildren and their spouses, and ten great grandchildren.

Memorial gifts in Dorothea Hart’s name may be made to Bethel Church, P.O. Box 725, Vashon, WA 98070 or to Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 425 Pontius Ave. N., Suite 300, Seattle, WA 98109—designated for “Vashon Patients.”

(paid obituary)