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Sterling Loftin Dorman

1926 - 2019

Sterling Loftin Dorman obituary, 1926-2019, Lake Oswego, Or

BORN

1926

DIED

2019

Sterling Dorman Obituary

Sterling Loftin Dorman April 4, 1926 - February 26, 2019 Lake Oswego, OR In 2016, Sterling Dorman planned and celebrated her 90th birthday in San Diego with more than 100 guests in attendance. On February 26, 2019, almost three years later, Sterling passed away in her apartment at Mary's Woods in Lake Oswego, Oregon. The family honors and celebrates the life of this wonderful woman. Sterling was born on April 4, 1926 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti to Sam and Inez Loftin. Her father was in the Navy and her mother had been a teacher before they married. Sterling had one younger sister Sammie. The family settled in San Diego and Sam later retired as a Chief Aviation Pilot and went into the insurance business. Music, dance, school and friends were major interests for Sterling during her younger years in San Diego and she maintained those interests throughout her life. At Mills College, she was a student leader who became an active alumna. Following Sterling's graduation and Chet Dorman's return from the Navy, they married in 1947 and spent 61 wonderful years together until he passed in 2008. The Dorman family grew rapidly in the 1950's, with four children born in five years (David, John, Anne and Mary). Life was busy with the growing family business (Dorman's Tires) and active children, but Sterling and Chet remained committed to the San Diego community and to the many friends with whom they shared camping trips and life at the beach.At the age of 50 and with an empty nest, Sterling and Chet sold the family tire business and began a new phase of life on a beautiful 200-acre property near Valley Center, CA where they enjoyed more than 20 years of active country life and community engagement, including Sterling's service and leadership on the School and Library Boards. During this period, six grandchildren were born (Sterling, Brooke, Mike, Katrina, Angela and Elizabeth) and they all loved spending time with Grandma and Poppi at Lucky Sterling Ranch. Sterling also planned special weeklong family vacations including ski trips to Lake Tahoe, visits to dude ranches, beach vacations, and a spectacular two-week safari to Tanzania in 2010. Last Christmas, Sterling took her entire family (20 adults and 3 great-grandchildren) to Kona, HI.Sterling and Chet moved to Oregon in 2003 and, yet again, built new friendships and became actively involved in the community. They grew to love Oregon and their proximity to more family.Sterling has left a wonderful legacy in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a bright, curious, compassionate woman dedicated to giving back and doing her part to make the world a better place. We will all miss her. The family is holding a service at the Mary's Woods Chapel in Lake Oswego at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 22, 2019, followed by a reception in the auditorium. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to Maybelle Center for Community in Portland, Oregon or Adelante Mujeres in Forest Grove, Oregon.

Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Mar. 10, 2019.
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Memories and Condolences
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I had the privilege and pleasure of living for several years at the Dormans' Lucky Sterling Ranch, in the House on the Rock. Over many years Sterling and Chet were my neighbors, friends, co-committee members, customers/employers, and finally landlords. Their 'retired' life was ever busy with family, travel, and constant projects of service to our local community. Sterling was always calm and gracious, always kind and patient, always listening with a heart-centered ear. I am very grateful for their friendship and their presence in my life.

Michael Wilson

March 13, 2019

Michael Wilson

March 13, 2019

Steve & Debbie Martin Farmer

March 11, 2019

Forty years ago, Sterling helped create the vibrant organization known today as the Valley Center Historical Society (originally the local history committee of the Friends of the Library). She led a team that researched the history of this community dating to 1845, and wrote the first modern-day publication on the early history of Valley Center. The booklet, now in its 4th printing, is still for sale in the History Museum gift shop. We still remember her dedication.
Robert Lerner, Historian.

March 11, 2019

My condolences to the family. May the peace of God and the fond memories you cherish comfort and sustain you in your time of need.

AC

March 6, 2019

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Mar

22

Service

2:00 p.m.

Mary's Woods Chapel

Lake Oswego, OR

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