Celebration of Life Henry Rosenthal

May 21, 2023

In Praise of Henry Rosenthal

By Margot Griffiths

For a blessed time, you walked in our midst And with your love our lives you kissed, Henry, you always lead with love, didn’t you? Yours was a life of service to others

So say your grateful sisters and brothers, With gratitude we sing of you, Hallelujah.

Your spirit walks the Marketplace, That jaunty grin upon your face, Now you’re climbing aboard that big white truck, aren’t you? That smile brought us constant good cheer Henry, you were our finest volunteer, With gratitude, we sing of you, Hallelujah.

Now music filled your very soul

An opera aria could always console, But there was something more that could move you. Your love for Esther rose above For you there was no greater love, And throughout time, this love stays true, Hallelujah.

And like your love your work lives on There are others here who will sing your song, It’s with the angels you now sing, don’t you? Our loss goes deep but we’re consoled by this For a blessed time, you walked in our midst, And there is nothing on our lips but Hallelujah.

Dorita L. Gray (Whelan)

December 7, 1956 – May 5, 2023

Dorita L. Gray (Whelan) of Ferndale, passed away at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham on May 5, 2023. She was born on December 7, 1956 in Fort Collins, Colorado to Jonathan and Aili Whelan, joining three brothers, Denny, Don and Dean and two sisters, Debbie and Danette.

Dorita graduated from Poudre High School (Go Impalas!) in Fort Collins and, after working for a year, began her studies at Western Washington University (Go Vikings!) majoring in industrial design.

In her freshman year at WWU, she met a young music education major named Bob Gray; they started dating, became a couple, enjoyed college, and were married on June 27, 1981 in Seattle. Six weeks later, Bob started teaching in the Blaine School District and Dorita began her wonderful, creative pursuit of a more artful community.

Dorita was a bright, engaging woman, quick with a smile and a positive word. She was passionate and emotional; maybe a tad opinionated and not shy about sharing. Dorita was a talented, innovative artist creating mostly hand-built porcelain and stoneware jewelry. In the 1980s, she served as a volunteer administrator for Allied Arts of Whatcom County, she sat on numerous arts boards, she was an integral member of the Blaine Fine Arts Association for decades, and she was a primary organizer for the BFAA’s “Arts & Jazz!” celebration. Dorita was also the best ever school band volunteer, chaperone, fundraiser, supporter, etc.; a “Band Mom” for many in our crazy, loving Band Family at Blaine High School (Go Borderites!).

Dorita loved her dogs; Marcus, Jackson and Henry – 40 years of golden retrievers! She loved looking at the stars, especially the Perseid meteor shower in August. She loved road trips with Bob, for many years to Colorado and then anywhere in the Northwest looking for new routes and roads. Dorita loved her family and friends, she thoroughly enjoyed the many visitors who came to share their hearts during her 42 days in hospice. And Dorita loved Bob and he loved her. Dorita was proud of her Finnish heritage and worked daily to embody the Finnish concept of Sisu – to exhibit strength and dogged perseverance when faced with difficulties or hardships. Dorita’s strength and positive attitude while seeking answers on this long, difficult walk with cancer are a true inspiration.

Dorita is preceded in death by her parents, Jonathan and Aili Whelan; her fatherin-law, Bob Gray Sr.; her brothers Denny, Don and Dean Whelan; and her brotherin-law, Bob Comegys. Dorita is survived by her husband of 41 years, Bob Gray; her sisters Debbie Comegys of Severance, Colorado and Danette Gardner (Doyle) of Fort Collins; her mother- and sister-in-law Donna Gray and Sharon Gray of Lake Stevens, Washington; and her numerous Whelan and Gray cousins, nieces and nephews.

Dorita and Bob, as well as Donna, Sharon, Debbie and Danette, and all of our extended Blaine family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Whatcom Hospice House for their attentive assistance and loving care during Dorita’s stay. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to either the Blaine Fine Arts Association in Blaine, Washington or Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, Washington. A Celebration of Life for Dorita is planned for this summer, date and time to be announced.

William Alvin Anderson

November 11, 1929 – April 21, 2023 s Approximately 250 people gathered at the Point Roberts Fire Hall on May 21 for Henry Rosenthal’s Celebration of Life, and to say Thank you Henry! Lucy Williams was the master of ceremonies, introducing family members and speakers from the community. Henry’s stepdaughter Deborah Mayhan Reoyo performed a solo, accompanied by Esther Rosenthal on piano. Musician friends of Henry’s from Vancouver, Qui Xiaon with pipa and Andre Thibault on guitar, performed, as well as Craig Jacks. Margot Griffiths read the poem she wrote in honor of Henry Rosenthal. s Bill Anderson

William (Bill) Alvin Anderson passed away peacefully at the age of 93. He was born in Point Roberts to Jules and Alice (Lamphier) Anderson. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary (Marsh) Anderson; their four children William Anderson, Barbara (Bob) Anderson, Brian Anderson, and Alfred “Buddy” (Amy) Anderson; his three grandchildren Lisa (Mark) Bowman, Brent (Taylor) Anderson, and Jason (Tina) Kindlund; and five great-grandchildren. Bill worked at the Port of Bellingham as the assistant director of finance for many years until he retired in 1985. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Melvin “Bob” Anderson, Alfred “Bud” Anderson, and Bert Anderson, who were commercial fishermen in Blaine.

Cliff Anderson

March 31, 1930 – April 19, 2023

Our much loved Cliff passed away in his home in Casa Grande, AZ. Cliff was born is Sexsmith, AB, Canada, where he spent his early years until he attended SAIT in Calgary, AB. There he was recruited by IBM and he spent the next 15 years as a computer tech in Calgary until he was recruited by a start-up company in Vancouver, B.C. He spent the next 25 years successfully working for MAI Canada in computer sales until his retirement in 1991. Cliff owned a cottage in Point Roberts from the 1970s and in 1995 Cliff and is wife Linda built their retirement home and moved permanently to Point Roberts. He loved crabbing, clam digging and getting oysters and then sharing them with his friends with a rum and coke or a glass of wine. Regretfully in 2018, because of health concerns, Cliff and Linda moved to Casa Grande, AZ where he enjoyed picking oranges and grapefruit in his backyard. Cliff is survived by his wife Linda, his son Scott of Coquitlam, B.C., his daughter Shelley (Julian) of North Vancouver, B.C., four grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. Interment will be in the Point Roberts cemetery later this summer.