Dorna Westbrook

To Dorna Lee Westbrook, there was nothing greater than the love shared among a family, and surrounded by her own precious family is where she loved to be. She was a woman of faith who possessed great strength and determination that surpassed any mountain she faced. Dorna had an unmatched sense of humor that was known far and wide, bringing life and laughter to so many. Dorna was a kind and compassionate woman who lived a fulfilling life as evidenced by the vibrant memories and rich legacy founded in love that she leaves behind.

By the dawn of the 1930s our nation greatly felt the effects of the Great Depression leaving people to find joy in the simple things. Families gathered together to play board games, the radio provided both entertainment and the new of the day, and Dr. Seuss delighted America’s youth with his silly books that rhymed. It was in the year 1932 that Ira and Opal Hoover of Crystal, Michigan, were thrilled with the birth of their daughter, Dorna Lee, on May 24th. Dorna was raised in the family home as one of seven children in the Hoover family and was very timid as a young girl, although she was well-liked by everyone she met. She was a bit mischievous and was quite the tom-boy who liked climbing trees and playing softball. Dorna’s family was one of the lucky ones throughout America as they were not wealthy, but survived the pangs of the Great Depression with everything they needed to get by. Dorna’s life was drastically changed when she contracted polio when she was 14 years old, causing her to spend many of the years that followed in a wheelchair. It was during her formative years that Dorna developed spirit of determination that allowed her to accomplish anything she put her mind to.

For her education Dorna attended local schools and during high school, she attended Luther High School. Her education was interrupted after the ninth grade, however, for something that was of greater importance to Dorna – a certain young gentleman. His name was Russ Westbrook and he was strolling around downtown one day when he was home on leave, and he unknowingly captured Dorna’s attention. She was a bit smitten with him, whistling at him through the bushes. Russ thought to himself, “That goofy girl will never get a boyfriend,” although he had no idea how wrong he would end up being.

When Russ returned home after fulfilling his time in the service, he met Dorna again – but this time, he felt a bit differently about her. Dorna initiated their first kiss in the kitchen and with that, a love story that spanned more than 60 years had begun. They were united in marriage on December 11, 1947, in Luther, Michigan, when he was 20 and Dorna was just 15 and still in a wheelchair. The couple was blessed with seven children from 1948 until 1960. Dorna often joked that she never had a hot supper over that 12 year span of time! It was soon after her children were born that Dorna was able to walk again, and later she was blessed to make a full recovery.

Although Dorna fully immersed herself into caring for her family, there were additional interests that she enjoyed when time allowed. She and Russ shared many of the same interests including hunting, fishing, bowling, and camping. Dorna was never afraid of hard work and in this spirit she went back to finish high school in 1976 in order to obtain a promotion at work. She enjoyed her work immensely and retired as a cook with Michigan State University after 18 years of service.

When her family grew to include grandchildren, Dorna was filled with joy beyond measure as she loved spending time with them as often as she could. She even delivered one of her grandchildren in a 1965 Mustang underneath the Okemos viaduct in 1973! Dorna was never one to pay attention to details that didn’t seem pertinent to her, and her son Doran never let her forget the time that she traded a sweet 1976 Chevy Chevelle for a Chevy Chevette instead. Dorna was member of the United Methodist Church of Ovid and also the Sheridan VFW Auxiliary Post #5065.

In 2004, Dorna’s health began to steadily decline. Initially she experienced physical problems including several mini-strokes, and she was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as well. As Dorna noticed her memory slipping, her greatest fear was that she would eventually not recognize her own family, but this never ended up being her fate. Dorna was given a little dog named Teddy by her granddaughter just this past Easter. The two quickly became the best of friends and completely inseparable as Teddy never left Dorna’s side for long.

Whether she was camping with her family, performing her duties as a cook during her work day, or bringing a newborn baby into the world, Dorna Westbrook did everything with just the right amount of finesse laced with her own unique fingerprint. She embraced each day she was given and made it her own while loving all those within her reach. Dorna accomplished many things, but saw her family as both her greatest asset and her most precious gift as well. Dorna taught others so much about hard work and contentment and about love and compassion, which is why she will be so dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Dorna Lee Westbrook of Ovid died on August 12, 2009. Dorna’s family includes her husband Russell; their children, Dawne (Herb) Hicks of College Station, TX, Nadi Hill of Haslett, Dianna (Butch) Frank of Williamston, Russell Westbrook II, of Williamston, Ira (Joni) Westbrook of Owosso, Timothy Westbrook of Muskegon Heights, Doran (Debby) Westbrook of Carson City; twenty four grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; two brothers, Loyal (Neva) Hoover, Henry (Linda) Hoover; one sister, Garnet (Marty) Levandoski; two brothers-in-law, Jim Westbrook and Vernon (Mary) Westbrook; three sisters-in-law, Violet Flynn, Gladys (Don Robbins) Moore, Kathy (Charles) Hendricks; many nieces, nephews; and numerous beloved friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers and one sister. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 17, 2009 at the United Church of Ovid, with Pastor Greg Buchner officiating. The family will receive friends, Sunday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., at the Houghton Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, 232 E. Oak St., Ovid, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, or make a memorial contribution to the United Church of Ovid or Heartland Hospice.