Dorothy Catherine Borst Gerhard Lewis Obituary (1921

Dorothy Catherine Borst Gerhard Lewis 2/9/1921 - 8/31/2013 Dorothy and her younger brother Robert were children of Frank Borst, a direct descendant of pioneers Joseph Borst and Mary Roundtree, who settled in the Centralia area and are the inspiration for Fort Borst State Park, and Vera Peet, of the Kansas City Peets, best known as founders of the Peet Soap Company which later merged with the Colgate and Palmolive Companies. Dorothy married Theodore "Ted" Gerhard, and together they raised 10 children: Catherine "Katy" (Terry Carter), Gretchen (Pat McCarthy), Gregory "Greg" (Laura Baxter), Loren (Cathy Cuenin), Christopher "Chris" (Cathy Thompson), Lisa (Mike Miller), Kurt, Andrew "Andy" (Sheree Kiser), Paula (Don Gatzemeier), Marcianne "Marci" (Marc Servizi). After graduating from Forest Ridge Convent of The Sacred Heart, in 1939, Dorothy kept in regular contact with her 8 classmates, meeting regularly until about 10 years ago. All five of her daughters also graduated from Forest Ridge. Dorothy believed in gender parity without being pushy about it. In those days "housewife" was a common term, and Dorothy invariably would bristle at that. "I didn't marry a house" she would say. She described herself as a "domestic engineer," she took the job seriously and executed it with consummate competence. She was especially proud of founding numerous guilds in support of Children's Hospital and The Association for Catholic Childhood. After Ted died (age 54), Dorothy married a long-time friend, Ward Lewis and became a step-mother to Nancy, Robert and David. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husbands Ted and Ward, her brother Bob, her son Christopher, and her first grandchild, Timothy; her daughter and sons in-law, Laura Baxter, Mike Miller and Terry Carter. Dorothy was bright and independent, and raised her children to be the best they could be. Her sweet, kind, and cheerful nature persevered and shined on, even as her faculties declined in her later years. She is survived by 9 children, 29 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. Recitation of the Rosary will be Thursday, September 5, 2013, at 7:00 PM and the Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, September 6, 2013 at 11 AM, BOTH at St. Anne Catholic Church on Queen Anne: 1411 1st Ave. West, Seattle, 98119. Remembrances my be made to the Timothy McCarthy Memorial Endowment Fund at St. Anne's, established after Dorothy's grandson's death, or The Association for Catholic Childhood. Many thanks to Adult Family Home owner Josie and Maria Borromeo and all her caregivers, especially Vangie and Julia for their compassionate and capable care of Mom. Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Guestbook at www.harveyfuneral.com To send a flower arrangement in memory of Dorothy Catherine Borst Gerhard Lewis, please click here to visit our sympathy store.