Dorothy Mabel Westlund

It was, in many ways, a fairy tale life. Dorothy Mabel Westlund was a high school yell queen who became a "Rosie the Riveter" during World War II, then helped turn a California desert into a vibrant community and became a respected home designer.She was a beloved mother and grandmother, a friend and companion, a tireless volunteer and a benefactor of hospitals and the arts. She made holidays magical, and was the kind of effervescent person who'd make new friends every time she stood in line at a grocery store. But as fairy tales always do, hers ended Aug. 29, 2007, when she passed away in Palm Desert at the age of 83. In her last days, she was surrounded by family and friends who will always be touched by her zest for life. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, B.J. "Bud" Westlund, co-founder of Apple Valley in 1978. Most recently, she was a 20-year resident of Palm Desert. Dorothy was born March 9, 1924, in Auburn, Wash., and grew up in nearby Kent. Her first job was one we'd all relish: managing the chocolate section of Fred Murry Variety Store. She graduated from Kent High School, where she excelled in academics, sports and drama, as well as being a yell queen. She went on to attend the University of Washington and was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority. During the war, she worked at Boeing Aircraft in Seattle. She met her future husband, Bud Westlund, on a blind date, after his return from distinguished service in World War II. They were married in Kent, Wash. Jan. 9, 1949, during a blinding snowstorm. Following their wedding, Bud took his bride to Apple Valley, where, ironically, they were greeted by one of the desert's highly unusual snowstorms.The stark beauty of the Mojave Desert and Joshua trees was a sharp contrast to the greenery and tall firs of the Pacific Northwest, but Dorothy enthusiastically threw herself into promoting the founding of a new city, Apple Valley. She was part of a team that started schools, a hospital, country club and the Apple Valley Inn. She helped name the streets and promote the community by entertaining a long list of celebrities including Bob Hope, Errol Flynn, Jerry Lewis, Desi Arnaz, Lana Turner, Walter Pidgeon and Dean Martin, among many others. She also sang with John Charles Thomas in the Apple Valley Romanies. After Apple Valley's success was assured, Dorothy and Bud sold their home to Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and returned to the Northwest. They settled in Lake Oswego, Ore., in 1966. She was a founding member of the Lake Oswego Local 14 Arts Foundation, a member of the Oswego Lake Country Club and president of the Assistance League of Portland. It was in Lake Oswego that she found her gift for designing and building unique and functional homes. She became known for her fabulous Fourth of July parties and Christmas extravaganzas. After her husband, Bud, passed away in 1978, Dorothy traveled extensively with her three sons, circling the world many times. After her sons started their own families, Dorothy rediscovered her love of desert life and permanently moved to Palm Desert in 1988. It was at this time she met her companion, Charles "Bill" Boudwin, a retired businessman from Seattle, and brother of longtime friend, Barbara Jordan. In the desert, Dorothy was introduced to a new visionary development, Big Horn Golf Club. Displaying her talent for architectural design, Dorothy built one of the original homes at the site. She became a member of the Architectural and Design Review Committee as well as a director on the Homeowners' Association Board of Directors. She was in the final stages of completing her second dream home at Big Horn at the time of her passing. Her engaging personality and long time advocacy of the community led many to affectionately call her the "Queen" of Big Horn. She also remained active in Apple Valley, supporting the St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, was a major contributor to the Apple Valley Historical Society and Museum, as well as sponsoring the annual B.J. Westlund Memorial Golf Tournament, in honor of her late husband.Dorothy was a giving and gentle woman who loved to live life with a twinkle in her eye and a never-ending smile. She touched countless lives with her engaging enthusiasm and continually made people feel good about themselves. Most important in her life was her family. She always made birthdays and holidays magical. For those of us who were lucky enough to share in her extraordinary life, she will live in our memories, happily ever after. Life is always difficult for those of us left behind and tears will come at times we wish them not to fall ... let them come, it's our way of remembering those we love the most. She will be deeply missed by her three loving sons, Ben, Richard and Morris; their wives, Libby, Jana and Paula; her seven grandchildren, John, David, Lauren, Jason, B.J., Erika and Taylor; her companion Bill Boudwin; sister-in-law, Grace Demery Reynolds; nephews, Steve Reynolds, Ric Reynolds, Ronald Reynolds and Michael Reynolds; and nieces, Leann Hechim, Claudia Reynolds Williams and Nancy Reynolds Jones.Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, B.J. "Bud" Westlund; parents, Forrest and Mabel Reynolds of Kent, Wash.; brothers, Dr. Richard Reynolds of Longview, Wash., and Forrest Reynolds of Kent, Wash.; and sister-in-law Virginia McConkey of Rancho Mirage. Funeral and interment services will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 15 at Acacia Memorial Park, 14951 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park (Seattle), Wash. A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 47535 State Highway 74 in Palm Desert. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made, in memory of Dorothy Westlund, to St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, 18300 Highway 18, Apple Valley, CA 92307 and/or the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, 16010 Apple Valley Road, Apple Valley, CA 92307.