Dorothy (Dot) Jean Gailey was born to Jean and Harry Swarens on Aug. 8, 1929, in Phoenix, Ariz., and died Sept. 3, 2013, at the age of 84, in Oak Harbor.

Dot married Charles (Chuck) Gailey in 1950 and spent her life raising their four children at various U.S. Coast Guard assignments, including Seattle, Hawaii, Oregon, Alaska, California and Maryland. After her husband’s retirement in 1974, they traveled extensively, visiting their children in all four corners of the country. They finally settled in Oak Harbor, where Dot became involved in her new community. She was an active member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Retired Officer’s Wives Club, American Red Cross, Republican Women, Soroptimist, Neutral Zone for Kids, Skagit Valley College Foundation Board, Boys and Girls Club and many other service organizations.

She was instrumental in the passage of the Island Transit project and the high school football stadium project. She enjoyed being a pen pal with children at the local elementary school. She was an organizer and leader for many other organizations over the years.

Dot is preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Cmdr. Chuck Gailey. She is survived by her brother Ralph (Sherry) Davis, of Redding, Calif.; her four children: John (Lori) Gailey, of Sisters, Ore; Mike Gailey, Garden Grove, Calif.; Pam Englett (David Gaines), of Bellingham, Wash. and Cheryl (Vince) Hughes, of Mount Vernon ; seven granddaughters: Kimberly (Arthur), Kirsten, Rachel (Ryan), Christa (Tristan), Adella (Andrew), Kerie (Bill) and Jennifer and 11 great-grandchildren: Gage, Liam, Lusana, Ian, Braden, Leif, JR, Linaea, Samuel, Jaxon and Jemma.

A memorial service to celebrate Dot’s life is 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel in Oak Harbor.

In lieu of flowers, Dot requested donations be made to your favorite charity.