Dorothy Eckhart Smith, 94, of Oak Harbor, died in her home on Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, surrounded by children and grandchildren. She was born in Manhattan Island, N.Y., on April 22, 1917, and her family moved to Seattle when she was very young.

Dorothy attended Seattle College (Seattle University). A woman of varied interests and imagination, Dorothy became lead colorist for the photography department of Frederick & Nelson, a Marshall Field’s subsidiary in Seattle. She was a columnist for the Yakima Our Times, the Catholic Progress of Seattle and has been published in other periodicals as well. She has written several books, and published “Crazy Dog and the Wolf” last year.

Dorothy was married to William (Bill) Joseph Smith of Fox Lake, Wisc., who preceded her in death in 1985. Bill Smith was a founder of both the Catholic Credit Union and Bi-Mart in Yakima. They had five sons: James Michael (Peggy), John Francis (Clarice), Brendan Vincent, all of Seattle; Patrick William (Carme), of Seaside, Ore.; and Kevin (Christine), of Houston, Texas; and one daughter, Mairgret “Peggy” Smith of Oak Harbor, as well as 28 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren.

The funeral mass will be celebrated Thursday, Dec. 29, at 9 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church with Rev. Philip Raether. There will be a vigil service Wednesday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. at St. Augustine’s as well. Family graveside services will follow at Tahoma Cemetery, Yakima. Friends and family are invited to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.