Lynn Dorene Douglas

Lynn Dorene Douglas, 56, of Felton, CA, died suddenly and unexpectedly at home on the evening of Saturday, August 6, 2011. She was born on September 28, 1954, the daughter of William Thomas (Tom) and Ella Mae (Johnson) Douglas of Sacramento. She married Gerald Clarence Gordon on May 25, 1993, in Sacramento. She attended American River College and was a graduate of Sacramento State University (BA, MA). Following her father's example, she was a life-long teacher in the public-school system, having taught first in the Sacramento City School system where she was the Hands-on Science teacher at John Bidwell Elementary science-magnet school and the reading specialist, and later at Freedom Elementary School, where she finished her career teaching the first three grades as well as violin in the after-school enrichment program. Following the Douglas family tradition, Lynn immersed herself deeply in music, not only as a performer but also as a teacher and a listener. Although her college major was education and not music, she nonetheless conducted various choral groups from time to time. Following her graduation, she became a member of various bands, the principal one being the Previously Lost Dogs, where she improvised the violin parts of that group's original compositions. In addition to being the official music teacher at her school, she was also an unofficial musical mentor to those students who either showed considerable talent on the violin or else demonstrated a great love of music, regardless of talent. As a listener, she was a life-long fan of the Grateful Dead, and was known for dancing enthusiastically throughout their performances. Her love of music was matched by her love of nature and, during college, she supported herself as a California State Park Ranger. Lynn's greatest love of all, however, was for people, whom she loved wholly and unconditionally, and it is that love that will be remembered by all who knew her. Finally, Lynn was a great fan of Dr. Seuss, and she would want her survivors to apply to themselves his injunction, "Don't cry because it is over - smile because it happened!" Surviving are her husband, her parents, a goddaughter Maxine Orr, as well as many cousins. There will be a memorial tribute in her honor on Friday, August 19, at Freedom Elementary School, 25 Holly Drive, Freedom, CA, between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., during which her principal will dedicate the school's Life Lab garden in her honor.