Obituary of Dorothy Jean Fanning

On April 11, 2019, Dorothy Jean Fanning, my wife of 54 years, was taken to be with her heavenly father after an eight-year battle with ovarian cancer.

Dorothy was born September 6, 1941 in El Paso Texas to Nolan and Marcella Aiken and her brother George Aiken who preceded her in death. After graduating from High School, she worked at the FBI for 1.5 years before going back to school at the University of Texas, El Paso to obtain a BS in Education. She married Harry Fanning and began her teaching career in 1964. Dorothy had two children Michael and Deana Fanning. After 12 years of teaching in El Paso, she relocated to Gig Harbor, Washington with her family and began teaching a multi-sensory program for children with dyslexia. Dorothy taught for the South Kitsap School district for the next 28 years, where she loved her job, her students, and the friendships she built while teaching.

Dorothy made wonderful memories boating on the family boat, The Zookeeper, which they used to explore the San Juan Islands and cruise with family and friends. After selling the boat, Dorothy and Harry bought an RV to join their wonderful friends going to rodeos and even NASCAR.

Dorothy is survived by her husband Harry Fanning, son Michael Fanning, daughter Deana Fanning, and 8 grandkids Margaret Barajas, Sarah and Jared Wilkerson, Teresa Barajas, Jared and Alyssa Fanning-Lytle, Jack Fanning, Emerson Fanning, Andie Barajas, Maddie Barajas, and 3 great grandchildren Graham, Reis, and Charlotte Wilkerson (Due in July). Dorothy was blessed with fun and joy by all her family and friends.

A memorial for Dorothy will be held on Sunday April 28th at 1pm at the Echo Bay Chapel on Fox Island. In lieu of flowers donations to ovarian cancer research at http://www.swedishfoundation.org/ would be appreciated.