Dorothy Ashley Gordon

"Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living" - Mother Jones

Dorothy “Dot” Sue Ashley was born February 24, 1938, in Pewee Valley, Kentucky to Alfred and Dorothy (Marlowe).  Alfred was born in Shanghai, China and worked as a bookkeeper.  Her mother was a schoolteacher and an avid gardener and reader.  Dorothy grew up with her sister, Virginia “Bulgie”.

Dot attended Western College for Women (Oxford, Ohio) for her BA and University of Louisville (Louisville, Kentucky) for her Masters degree in Social Work.  Dot was a licensed clinical social worker by profession, specializing in counseling for children and families.  She loved reading novels and poetry, listening to classical and folk music, and traveling to her favorite rivers, the ocean, and the southwest.

Dot fell in love in high school and married Charles Robert “Bob” Gordon.  They had three children, Michael, Douglas, and Andrew.  After they divorced, Dot moved across the country to Ashland, Oregon to be closer to her sons and grandchildren, Quinn, Riley, Leo and Linus.

Dot absolutely adored the beach and lived in Newport for the majority of her years on the West Coast. She had many, many fond memories of her life and friends on the coast. In 2009 Dot moved to Lacey, Washington where she volunteered and enjoyed a community of friends.  Dot died on January 16, 2026, after a brief illness. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).

We love you Mom / Grandmother / Dot / Doof