Dorothy Jean Syverson Bylin departed this life on Saturday, October 29, 2016 after a long life filled with family and friends.

Dorothy was born on January 12, 1926 in Adams, ND to Gert and Lloyd Syverson, the first of five children. She moved to Grand Forks, ND after graduating from high school. In 1946 she married her childhood sweetheart, Victor Bylin, Jr., upon his safe return from overseas after WWII. They started their married life and family in Grand Forks.

In 1952 Dorothy and Vic moved to Auburn, WA where the Bylin clan had relocated. There were three children born of this marriage, Candy, Victor III (Buster) and Rhonda.

Mother made and kept many good friends over the years. She was deemed a favorite aunt by many nieces and nephews. When we were growing up, our friends were welcomed and thought she was a really cool mom, which baffled us a bit. Mom excelled at cooking and baking. No one made better apple pie or brownies. She was a sympathetic listener, quick to laugh and a respectable card player. As long as Seattle was a two newspaper town, Mom read both daily, and subscribed to many magazines covering a range of her interests. Dorothy died without knowing the outcome of the presidential election, which probably made her really cross.

We believe that Mother is safe on the other side, in good company, watching over us with love and compassion.

Dorothy was preceded in death by Vic, her husband of 59 years, their son Buster, her sister Eunice and her brothers Gordon and John.

She is survived by daughters Candy (Thom Gibbons) and Rhonda (Per Holk), three grandchildren, Sophie, Eric and Alex, and her sister Ginger.

The grands defined Mother’s life from the moment of their birth (she waited a long time to be called “Gramma”). She was as proud of them as she could be.

We will host a celebration of Mother’s life in January 2017, at a time and place to be announced.