Dorothy W. Angwin
The family of Dorothy W. Angwin is deeply sorry to announce her death on August 30, 2023, at the age of 99, in Everett, WA.
Dorothy Ann Wheeler was born to Melvin and Dorothy D. Wheeler on April 25, 1924 in Sioux Falls, SD. From a very young age she excelled in music, playing the piano and organ. She gave her first solo recital on the piano at age 8, and continued her musical career until shortly before her death.
In 1941 she received a scholarship to Julliard School of Music, but was unable to attend due to the outbreak of World War II. Her father insisted that “New York City is no place for a girl of 17 in the middle of a war!” At the time, she wondered exactly what that meant, but had no real choice in the matter. So she stayed in Sioux Falls, attended Augustana College to study music and worked part-time at the local Army Air base, where she met her future husband, Lt. George H. Allen. They were married on May 8, 1944.
After George finished his Army enlistment and law school, they moved to Southern California, first to Pasadena, and in 1952 to Santa Barbara. She was forced to put her musical career on hold for a number of years to raise her five children, and endure a bout of polio in 1955. Luckily, she suffered no long- term ill effects from either experience, but throughout those years, all of her free time was devoted to playing and practicing the piano. From Chopin, to Mozart, to Shubert – it was the one constant in our house.
Dorothy was the choir director at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara for many years during the 1950’s and 1960’s. She then became music director and organist for All Saints by The Sea Episcopal Church in Montecito. She was an accompanist for the late Martial Singher, and a vocal coach to his students. She also served as the operatic chorus director for a number of summers at the Music Academy of the West.
On April 20, 1974, she was married to Jeffrey P. Angwin, and in 1983, she and Jeffrey relocated to Seattle, WA. Dorothy then became passionate about passing on a lifetime of experience by teaching piano and organ, and was a member of the scholarship board for the Suzuki Association of Washington State. She gave her last lesson less than a week before she died, and will be greatly missed by her many current and former students.
Dorothy was a member of P.E.O. for most of her life.
Dorothy is survived by her husband of almost 50 years, Jeffrey, and four of her five children, Wendy, Bill (Ruth), Tony and Brooks, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.
We will certainly miss you Mom – you were an amazing woman, a wonderful mother and truly one of a kind.