Alice Jean Macdonald Whitney Dorsey
June 21, 1921 - Jan. 23, 2014
Alice Dorsey passed away Friday, Jan. 23, at the age of 93.
She was born in Oakland, California. After the death of her mother when Alice was 6, she was adopted by Hugh and Malinda Macdonald in Eureka, California.
Alice attended the old Washington Elementary School and then attended and graduated from Eureka junior and senior high schools. She participated in All Country Choir, school plays, chorus dancing, the Glee Club and Jobs Daughters. She also attended Humboldt State University. Alice enjoyed dancing, swimming, riding on the back of motorcycles and attending church. She loved driving and drove until she was 92.
Alice held many jobs, some of which were: clerking at Woolworth's Department Store, and ushering at Eureka Theater where, as a teenager, she made 30 cents an hour. After marriage, Alice was a bookkeeper for E W Piece Co., the city of Eureka and the county of Humboldt.
Alice met Floyd Whitney while he was serving in the Coast Guard. They were married in 1942. Some of the places they lived were: Ventura, Rodondo Beach, Port Yanemee Base, San Francisco, Richmond, Los Angeles and Eureka, all in California. They also lived in Panama City and Millville, both in Florida. They had three children during their marriage.
When Alice was 55, she met and married Pat Dorsey and gained three new children. Alice and Pat made their home in Orick, California, where they owned their own business, The Lumberjack. They worked together for many years running this business. They hosted many community socials, activities and fundraisers.
Alice moved to Albany in 2003 at the age of 83. She was very happy in her beautiful apartment and lived there independently until she was 92. She was very active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many positions and callings.
Most of all, Alice loved and was so proud of her combined Whitney and Dorsey families. Being a nana brought her the most joy. She was blessed with 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
Preceding Alice in death were her daughter, Tina Johnson; and siblings Bryon and Harold Macdonald, Peggy Bell, Julia Roberts and Jack Thompson.
Alice is survived by her children, David Dorsey and Sam Whitney of Eureka, California, Floyd "Skip" Whitney of Roseville, California, Michael Jane Dorsey of Salem, and Kay Welch of Albany; grandchildren Travis, Amber, Jimmy Dale, Teresa, Jeanette, Cyndi, Ed, Wesley, Tawnya, Jeromy, Malinda, Shari Lynn and Steven.
Now, after many years of longing, Alice is finally reunited in the loving arms of two sets of parents and the love of her life, Pat Dorsey.
A service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 681 Jefferson-Scio Drive.
We express appreciation for the care she received at "The Heart of the Home" and hospice. We request in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to hospice.