Dorothy Ann Arias

Dorothy Ann Arias, born to parents Vernon and Bertha West in San Antonio, TX on August 25, 1940, passed away Sunday, January 11, 2026, in Olympia, WA.

Dorothy was well known for being witty, with a captivating personality and her “tell it like it is” attitude. She had the greatest sense of humor and loved to be around those who made her laugh. Dorothy had many quotes and sayings and was very wise with advice. She lived with a quiet generosity, always willing to help others without conditions or expectations.

While growing up along her brothers Ronald West and Darrell West and sisters Sharon West and Cathy West, they moved around with their parents to Tucson, AZ, then Henderson, NV where her father performed as a troubadour in Las Vegas, NV. After her father Vernon passed away, the family would move back to Texas where Dorothy met and married her first husband, and had two boys, Michael K. Howell and James C. Howell. Dorothy, with her husband and children, moved out to Oregon where they had another son, David W. Howell, before they separated.

Dorothy would later marry again in Oregon and have a daughter, Michelle L Moore. Her husband was then relocated for his job to Lacey, WA in 1970.

In 1970, Dorothy and her husband welcomed a son, Kelly L. Moore. After being divorced from her second husband, third times a charm, in 1982, Dorothy married the love of her life, Jesse Arias. They would also divorce many years later but would remain great friends.

Dorothy enjoyed her family and friends and devoted her life to her 30 plus years working at El Sarape I, retiring at age 72 as an assistant manager. When she wasn’t working, you would find her with her grandkids or watching her favorite TV shows; Law and Order SVU, The Price is Right, My 600lbs Life, and America’s Got Talent. In her early years, you would find her taking a yearly vacation to Ocean Shores, WA or taking one of many car rides with her friends and family to Reno, NV. After retirement, she enjoyed her word search, books (she could finish a book a day), and loved her scratch off lotto tickets.

Dorothy loved her family and friends more than anything and will be deeply missed. Her memory will live on and serve to brighten up days to come.

She is survived by her sons James, David and Kelly as well as her son-in-law Dean and daughter Michelle. Her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren also survive her. She is preceded in death by her father Vernon Bruce West, mother Bertha Madora Hay, grandparents Neal West and Mabel Wilcox, John Hay and Minnie Henderson, and oldest son Michael Kirk Howell.

Dorothy’s wish was to have a “Mexican Fiesta” as her celebration of life, which will take place in the spring / summer of 2026.

Dorothy was the best mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend there was. Known by many and loved by all.

Any donations are asked to be sent to WWW.Cancer.org or WWW.Nationalbreastcancer.org.