Dorothy Mae Jordan

Dorothy Mae (Ahola) Jordan, 95, passed away November 22, 2025 in Salem, OR. Born 1930 in Vancouver, WA, Dorothy grew up on her parents' (William and Lillian) 80-acre Hockinson, WA farm.

Naturally, she spoke Finnish before 1st grade. Pikkutytto (little girl) Dorothy was playing outside at Aunt Ida Sakrison's. Ida called out, "Dorothy, where are you? Eating raspberries from bushes behind the sauna, Dorothy shouted in Finnish: "Taalla on hyva olla!" ... "It's good to be here!"

Dorothy's first years were quite independent. She would sit for hours out in the fields, singing songs to herself. She grew up with that spirit, quite insistent on standing on her own feet.

Beyond the fields, singing led to soloist performances at church, high school, weddings and a 1947 "Best Girl Soloist" competition on KVAN radio.

"You could find me outdoors with the animals most days. My passion singled out the horses. I begged my father to buy me my own horse. He made this offer:

"You might consider a piano to go with your singing talent, and if there's no appeal in this, I'll buy you a horse." A piano or a horse - I chose a horse!"

"My choice was an unfortunate one. I rode out onto our gravel road. He reared up, we both fell backwards, he on top of me. I never made friends with another horse for 30+ years."

After graduating Battle Ground High School, Dorothy began working girl life in Seattle. Along the way, she discovered the charms of a tall Scottish-Irish cowboy sailor from Colorado. In 1950, she and Robert started their matrimonial voyage, adding 3 little crewmembers along the way.

"In S. California as a Navy family, Bob bought an Arabian mare, a long-held passion. We went back to the NW where we enjoyed riding those beautiful animals on and around our little farm."

"Overcoming fear and regaining courage can be done, I gratefully found out."

Dorothy's faith was important. She felt decorating the churches she attended was a testament, creating fresh flower arrangements for the sanctuary. Once, the pastor's sermon was interrupted by the croak of a wee frog.

A voracious letter writer, Dorothy had a keen interest in politics, was a great fan of football, and loved to go on drives just for fun.

Now that Dorothy is in heaven, stop for a moment and listen ... a little Finnish girl is saying, "Taalla on hyva olla!" ... "It's good to be here!"

Dorothy was pre-deceased by her husband, Robert. She is survived by her children, Debra Roberts, Laurie Jordan, and Brian Jordan; grandchildren, Alexis Jordan-Sturgis, Dalton Jordan and Shelby Jordan, as well as great grandchildren Roslyn and Easton Hicks and Maesa Jordan. She additionally leaves behind Ruth Estes (sister-in-law) and Jean Jordan (sister-in-law).

Donations can be made in her memory to the ASPCA.