Dove Blick (Brodie) Garrett
Dove (Brodie) Garrett passed away peacefully on March 21, 2009 in Olympia, Washington at the age of 90.
Dove was born September 14, 1918 in Louisville, Kentucky to Captain Morgan Banks Brodie and Dove Marie (Blick) Brodie. Shortly thereafter, Captain Brodie was sent to serve in France. Following World War I, the family moved to Nashville, Tennessee where Dove attended public school.
After high school graduation, she studied at Falls Business College. In 1938 she married high school classmate, Horace G. Garrett, Jr. Two daughters, Shirley and Dove Marie, were born. Horace's position with the General Electric Company required the Garrett family to leave Tennessee. Dove efficiently and effortlessly made new homes for her family in the suburbs of Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. She remained a homemaker during these years and spent endless hours acting as chauffeur and lady-in-waiting to her two daughters whose lessons, meetings, recitals, practices, and social activities kept them busy. When personal time permitted, Dove was a devoted member and leader in her church. Once her oldest daughter left for college and the youngest was attending the Washington Ballet Academy, Dove decided to return to work. She made a career as a Grants Assistant with the National Institutes of Health located near Washington, D.C.
When the opportunities arose, Dove and Horace enjoyed extensive travel in Europe; and, following retirement, further trips were made to Israel, Russia, and China.
Both enjoyed their roles as Grandma and Papa to their six grandchildren, three of whom resided in Germany with Dove Marie and her husband.
In 1998 Horace, Dove's husband of more than 50 years, succumbed to emphysema in Rockville, Maryland where the couple had made a home for over 35 years. Five years ago, Dove moved to Olympia to be closer to family. Shirley, whose children and grandchildren were located in the Puget Sound area, had been living in Steilacoom since the retirement of her husband, a career Army officer.
Dove will be dearly missed by her two daughters, Shirley G. Schoonover and Dove Marie Bongartz; her grandchildren Carrie Schoonover Matthews, Michael and Kyle Schoonover, Alexander, David and Elena Bongartz; and her great-grandchildren Austin, Ali Marie, Kaden, and Piper Schoonover, and James Garrett Matthews. She will be remembered by her family and many friends for the devotion, care, and unconditional love she bestowed upon us all.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dove Garrett was held at the National City Christian Church in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, March 29, 2009.
Published by The Olympian on Apr. 9, 2009.