 Dorothy M. Provine DAY Dorothy M. Provine Day, beloved wife, mother, sister and aunt, passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Hospice of Kitsap County Care Center in Bremerton, Washington after a long struggle with COPD/Emphysema. She was born on January 20, 1935 and was 75 years of age. She was a resident of Bainbridge Island WA. Dorothy was born in Deadwood, South Dakota to William Provine and Irene Curran Provine. At the age of nine, the family moved to San Francisco where sister Susan was born, and later settled in Seattle. Known as "Dottie", she graduated from Lincoln High School and The University of Washington, having been a cheerleader at both. While at the U of W she performed in many productions at the Showboat and Penthouse theaters, as well as receiving a number of local awards and honors. Upon graduation she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She quickly landed roles in numerous television shows and in films before signing with Warner Brothers. She then starred in the television series "The Alaskans", followed by "The Roaring Twenties" and roles in many films, including "It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World", "That Darn Cat", "The Great Race", "Good Neighbor Sam" and "Who's Minding The Mint?". Dorothy was a marvelous dancer and singer, with a sweet, but powerful voice. She recorded a number of albums and appeared on virtually every television variety show of the day including "The Tonight Show", "Dean Martin Show" and "Perry Como Show". She entertained the troops overseas with Bope Hope and the U.S.O. shows and also toured in the U.S. in a nightclub act with George Burns. She was thrilled and honored to perform for President John F. Kennedy at his Inauguration Ball. While filming in Rio de Janiero, Dorothy met future husband, British film director Robert Day. "It was love at first sight", she would later say. After marrying, they lived in Los Angeles, where son Robert Jr. was born and she retired from acting. They later built and moved to their present home on Bainbridge Island, Washington. She was extremely proud of her son Rob, now a musician. Although her life after retirement was very private and mainly devoted to her adored family, she had many other accomplishments. She was a talented artist and decorator and created many beautiful needle point works. She also loved gardening and was a lifelong, voracious reader with an extensive library. Above all, next to her family, Dorothy loved animals, particularly dogs, with compassion for all creatures.A champion of animal rights, she contributed to many related charities and causes. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Irene Provine and sister Margaret Harer. She is survived by husband Robert, son Rob and fiancé Theresa Olejnizak, all of Bainbridge Island, WA, also her sister Susan Cameron of Poulsbo, WA, and Patricia Coldiron (Pete) of Paradise, CA. She also leaves behind her nephews; Curran Evans (Maureen) of Lynnwood, WA, Patrick Cameron of Poulsbo, WA, Timothy Lonctot (Roxie) of Merced, CA, nieces Meghan Evans-Smotherman (Shawn) of Edmonds, WA, Erin Cameron of Poulsbo, WA, Denise Conley (Cal) of Oroville, CA. Surviving great nieces and nephews include Katy Ewing of San Jose, CA, Kristiane and Brittany Lonctot of Northern, CA, Devin Cameron of Poulsbo, WA and new baby Quintin Smotherman of Edmonds, WA. Other survivors include her aunt, Dorothy Harbison (Lloyd), cousins and many other loving family and friends. Services will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to an Animal Charity of choice. Please sign the online Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island, WA.
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Published in The Seattle Times on May 2, 2010
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