Edith Margaret Hollowell

Edith Margaret HollowellEdith Margaret (Notter, Dey) Hollowell, of Woodinville, passed away on Friday, July17, 2009, in the comfort of her loving family.

Edith was born in Pigeon, Mich., on Jan. 28, 1921, daughter of Anna J. (McDonald) and Lawrence A. Notter. In 1928, the family moved to Saginaw, Mich., where Edith graduated from Arthur Hill High School with honors. She was justifiably proud of her membership in the National Honor Society.

Edith married Cecil A. Dey, also of Saginaw, on Aug. 28, 1943, at Drew Field Army Chapel in Tampa, Fla.

When Cecil returned from his service in World War II, the couple returned to Michigan where they raised their three children: Dick, DeAnne, and Lori.

Edith and Cecil both worked for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company.

They lived in Saginaw until 1959 and again from 1966-1972 and 1979-1982; in Tawas City from 1959 to 1962 and in Oscoda from 1962 -1966 and 1972-1979.

After seeing all three children go off to college, the couple moved to Leesburg, Fla., to enjoy their retirement years together.

Cecil passed away in 1984. Edith remarried on Nov. 6, 1988, to Henry J. Hollowell who shared her love of traveling the world.

Together Edith and Henry traveled across most of the globe.

Cruising was their preferred method of travel. Edith completed 35 cruises many of which she served as travel liaison to allow her friends and neighbors to participate with her at a preferred rate.

To celebrate her 80th birthday Edith arranged to have her children, spouses, and grandchildren join her on a memorable cruise to Alaska.

Edith enjoyed an active retirement and rarely met with a challenge that she would not take.

Into her late 70s Edith and Henry went with her family up in a hot air balloon and traveled to Australia where she and Henry went on a land luge together.

Henry passed away in 1997. In 2001, after surviving a stroke, Edith moved to Woodinville to be close to daughters and grandchildren. Her parents, husbands and one brother Donald preceded her in death.

She is survived by her children, Dick (and Midge) Dey of Morgantown, W.Va., DeAnne Dey (and Bret Sutton) of Seattle, and Lori Dey (and Mark Landau) of Woodinville; grandchildren, Shannon Dey, Christopher and Collin Sutton, and Taelor Notter Landau; brother, Harold (and Esther) Notter of Clare, Mich.; and her dear friends, Charlie and Mary.

Edith was known for her cheery disposition, infectious smile and unconditional acceptance of everyone she met.

She said recently, "I’ve had a great life and enjoyed it all the way."

Although we miss Edith deeply we celebrate her accomplishments and the joy that she spread throughout the entirety of her life.

We can only hope that we can make as many friends and equal her accomplishments. We have a lot of catching up to do! She went to heaven.

The family can be contacted at edies_kids@verizon.net. For anyone wishing to honor Edith, the family recommends the following organizations: American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org; Evergreen Healthcare, www.evergreenhealthcare.org; Homeward Pet, www.homewardpet.org.