Dorine Esther Smith Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

After a long, wonderful life of 97 years, Dorine E. Smith (Foelker) of Hillsboro, Oregon passed away peacefully at home on September 26th, 2021 surrounded by her loving family and friends. Dorine was born in 1924 to her parents Theodore and Genevieve Foelker in Litchville, North Dakota on the family farm. Later she moved with her parents and three older brothers to Oregon in 1931 where she spent her formative youth. As a young adult her vocal talent and beautiful voice were soon discovered and after high school she attended Pacific University and the prestigious San Francisco Conservatory of music on a full vocal scholarship. In 1942 she served as a “War Bonds Model” and also “Miss Washington County” in the Miss Oregon Pageant and later had one of the first live music programs on KGW radio where she sang standards and songs of the day. Soon after WWII ended she married the love of her life, Don T. Smith after he returned from fighting in Europe. They started their family and spent the next 74 years together in their perfect love story until his passing in 2019. Together they raised five children. Dorine recently remarked that her biggest accomplishment was being a mother to her kids, and that all her other successes paled in comparison to the joy that gave her. Fiercely loyal and deeply compassionate to all that knew her she will be missed greatly but is now reunited with her life’s love for their next grand adventure. Dorine is preceded in death by her three brothers Don, Bill and Walt Foelker, her husband Donald T. Smith, and daughter Nancy A. Smith. She is survived by children Craig D. Smith, Debbie Smith (Mosley), Lori Smith (Oliver) and Thad T. Smith along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Graveside Service will be November 24, 2021 - Fir Lawn Memorial Center, 1070 W. Main St. Hillsboro, OR - 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis in her name.

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Dorine Esther Smith

November 7, 1924 - September 26, 2021