Dorothy Chambers
 

Memorial for Dorothy Chambers

Born in The Dalles, Oregon on Jan. 9, 1930
Departed on Feb. 25, 2012 and resided in Albany, OR.
Memorial and Celebration of Life: Saturday, Mar. 3, 2012

Dorothy Elaine Chambers ("Elaine") at 82 years of age, died at home in Albany on Saturday, February 25th after a long and brave battle with congestive heart failure.

Elaine was born on January 11th, 1930 in The Dalles, Oregon; this was during one of the coldest winters in history and Elaine enjoyed telling her children that on the day of her birth a herd of horses crossed the Columbia River on the ice. Her father was Basil Saunders and her mother was Dorothy (Wiesenbeck) Saunders. Elaine was a loving big sister to her brother Basil Jr. and the family lived in The Dalles where Elaine attended grade school. After a brief time in Waldport, Oregon Elaine's family settled in Albany where her parents owned and operated the Karmel Korn Shop and the Crave-more Café in downtown; Elaine worked with her mother after school and made many lifetime friendships.

Elaine attended Oregon State University where she met her husband George Chambers a fellow student and Marine Corp Reservist from Bend, Oregon. Elaine and George Chambers were married on September 5th, 1948 in Albany. Elaine worked for a short time as a telephone operator and enjoyed telling her children about the "olden days" of switchboards and party-lines. During the Korean War while on active duty Elaine travel with her husband to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Camp Pendleton, California.

Albany was always home for Elaine, other than 2 years in Eugene she and George spent the 64 years of their life together in Albany where George served as the City's Parks and Recreation Director and for 55 years an agent with New York Life Insurance Company. Elaine was a busy homemaker, mother, artist, and antique dealer and collector. Elaine was a member of the Springhill Country Club Women's Association since its founding and loved playing bridge with her many, many friends.

While a young mother of 2 small boys Elaine became ill with polio; she was left with paralysis in her legs but by her own determined will, months of painful therapy, and the loving support and encouragement of her husband, Elaine recovered to walk with braces and crutches. She later had surgery that allowed her to give up the braces … Never "disabled" but always fully engaged as an active wife, mother, housekeeper and more, Elaine saw to it that her family took on fun recreation including camping, water skiing and snow skiing, travel to Hawaii, RV trips to Mexico, Canada and Florida.

With her husband Elaine assisted in the planning and design of a home on East Thornton Lake, a vacation home in Bend, Oregon, and the home where she passed away in North Albany. Elaine enjoyed home decorating and worked hard with pride to maintain a welcoming refuge for her family and her friends.

Elaine Chambers is survived by her husband George E. Chambers who was at her side when she passed away. The thoughtful and gentle care and support provided by Evergreen Hospice nurses, aids, and volunteers was appreciated by Elaine and her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Basil Saunders, and her daughter Tami Law. She is survived by sons Mark, Brad and Nick Chambers, daughter-in-law Shirleen Chambers, sister-in-law Myrna Saunders, grandsons Jake, Peter, Aaron and Casey, and granddaughter Desi.

George Chambers and Elaine's sons invite her friends to a Memorial and Celebration of Life on Saturday March 3rd at the Springhill Country Club; an open house from 2 to 4 PM. Elaine loved the Trilliums, Wood Violets, and Dogwoods in the forest on the banks of Thornton Lake, the family suggests memorials be offered to the East Thornton Lake Natural Area (ETLNA) & Kalapuya Interpretive Center (City of Albany Parks and Recreation) c/o Fisher Funeral Home.