Dorothy Donovan St.Onge, of Port Ludlow, died on May 20 at Martha and Mary Care Center. She was 88.

Dottie, as she was known to her friends, was born in Seattle in 1921, graduated from Ballard high school in 1939 and attended business school. She her husband, Rene St. Onge, raised their family in Seattle, where they owned Kwik Kopy Printing Company for over 30 years. They retired to Port Ludlow in 1982.

She was a devoted wife and mother who was fiercely independent. After having a son, Jay, with Down Syndrome, she defied the experts of the time who advised her to institutionalize him, keeping him at home instead. She became a strong and vocal advocate for special education programs in the Seattle area, for mentally handicapped children. Jay lived with her until her death.

She was an avid golfer, an excellent bridge player and a wonderful dancer who enjoyed traveling with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rene. She is survived by daughters Lynn Ray and Renee (Jerry) Foster, of Bainbridge Island, her son, Jay St.Onge; eight grandchildren, Aaron (Jane), Adam (Erin), Ryun, Robin, Roxanne and Jordan Foster and Melissa and Jennifer Ray; and three great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. June 26 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Remembrances may be made in her name to Northwest Center, P.O. Box 80827, Seattle, WA 98108-0827 (www.nwcenter.org); the Alzheimer’s Association, 12721 30th Avenue NE, Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125 (www.alz.org/alzwa); or a charity of your choosing.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.