Dorothy Jane Grove, 93, of Lebanon passed away Monday, May 12, 2025. She was born on December 12, 1931 in Cedarville, California to Raymond and Marie (Harris) Atkinson.

Dorothy grew up in Cedarville, California and the Portland area and moved to Sweet Home in the 1940’s where she attended Sweet Home High School. She married Harold Grove, her high school sweetheart on August 10, 1951. In the 1960’s and 70’s she worked at both the Lebanon Middle School and Lebanon High School as a secretary and librarian.

Harold and Dorothy together founded East Linn Christian Academy in 1982, and when the school outgrew their accommodations, they donated the land for the current school campus. Dorothy served at first as the bookkeeper, and then helped in various other roles like the home economics teacher, which she taught in her own kitchen.

Dorothy enjoyed gardening and landscaping, growing fruit and flowers, as well as cooking and sharing many sweet treats for friends and family. 

Dorothy is survived by her children: Dan and Judy Grove of Tillamook, Charlie and Susan Grove of Sweet Home, Al and Debbie Grove of Sweet Home, Ila Guerrero of Brownsville, Bruce and Jen Grove of Salem; sister, Barbara Calkins of Texas and her brothers: John Atkinson of Roseburg, Phil Atkinson of Salem, and David Atkinson of Texas. She was a proud grandma of 18 grandchildren, and 31 great grandchildren. Harold and Dorothy were also foster parents and sponsored exchange students: Soosan Loughmanpour, Kaveh Ofogh, Joyce Weeda, Vernor Munoz, Tina Marie and others. She was preceded in death by her her husband Harold in 2021 and her parents Raymond and Marie Atkinson.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. We who knew and loved her are comforted by the knowledge that she has been welcomed Home by her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her…a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”’ – Proverbs 31:28,30b. 

Viewing will be 4 – 6 pm Friday, May 30th at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel, 1443 Long Street, Sweet Home. A family graveside service will be 10:30 am Saturday, May 31st at Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Albany. Memorial service will follow at 1 pm at Crowfoot Baptist Church, 699 Cascade Drive, Lebanon. If you are unable to attend, watch here: https://youtube.com/live/DZm5HKyok6g Memorial contributions can be made to East Linn Christian Academy or Crowfoot Baptist Church. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.