Hoquiam High School

A resident of Hoquiam for over 50 years, Dorothea Parker dedicated much of her life to voluntary service.

She graduated in 1937 from Leavenworth High School and earned her Bachelor’s degree in education from Central Washington College. She taught school in Renton before marrying Omar Parker in 1945. When they moved to Hoquiam in 1949, Dorothea taught for one year at Hoquiam’s Central Elementary School.

A member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Aberdeen, she taught Sunday school from 1949 until 1979, when she joined Saron Lutheran Church in Hoquiam.

In 1976 Dorothea was appointed by the Mayor of Hoquiam to help organize the Polson Museum, and for over twenty years she served on its Board of Directors and volunteered countless hours to help organize and display the museum’s collection.  In 2000, the Polson Museum honored her with a Lifetime Service Recognition Award.

At home, she enjoyed cultivating roses and collecting antiques. The Dorothea Parker Memorial Scholarship is open to all applicants who satisfy the general eligibility requirements of the Scholarship Program.