Dorothy Marie Hermens passed away on September 28th, proud to have reached age 100!  She was born in Hillsboro, Oregon on May 9, 1925 to William and Wilhelmina (Minnie Bernards) Hermens and raised in Verboort on her family’s farm.  She attended Visitation Catholic Grade School, graduated from Verboort High School, and earned her teaching certificate at Mt. Angel Normal School.

Dorothy followed up her teaching certificate with a degree in Education at Marylhurst College, a Masters of Education at Seattle University, and a Masters of Librarianship at University of Washington. From 1946 to 1983 she taught at Merle Davies Elementary in Beaverton, and was the librarian at Meadow Park Junior High, both in the Beaverton School District.  

Upon retirement, Dorothy, who had never married, helped Roxanne and Brian Coussens who had just become parents of triplets and had their hands full with three, four, and then five children. She was as devoted to each of them as if they were her own grandchildren.

Dorothy was an active parishioner at St. Matthew Parish in Hillsboro, a member and served as president of the Altar Society, quilted, baked and sold pies at the Washington County Fair, and set up the church for daily and weekend Masses.

Dorothy outlived her siblings, Bertram (Bud) Hermens, Muriel Moore Petty, Eugenia (Jeanne) Coussens, Anna Schmidlkofer and Frances Kelly.  She had 15 nieces and nephews, 28 grand nieces and nephews, and 45 great-grand nieces and nephews.

Dorothy and her family deeply appreciated the care she received over the past two years from her wonderful caregivers at the White Piano Senior Home.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Bernards / Hermens Fund for the education of priests at Mt. Angel Seminary, c/o The Oregon Community Foundation, 1221 SW Yamhill Street, Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97205.