In loving memory of longtime Hoquiam resident Edna Doolittle who left to be with the Lord on May 16 of this year at her home in Waikiki, Hawaii where she moved to in 2004.
Edna Marie Hansen Doolittle was born on Oct. 4, 1921, to Pearl Hansen and Ivar Hansen in Florence, Oregon. She joined her older brother Clarence in the family.
Her father Ivar immigrated to the USA from Norway at the age of 17. He moved westward and lived in Hoquiam where he met and married Pearl. Shortly afterward, they moved onto their farm in Oregon where Ivar worked as a logger.
Growing up on their farm, Edna at the age of 5, received a gift from her father, a horse whom she named Cricket. She and Clarence rode Cricket to and from school every day. Since school was a 5-mile trip each way, Cricket was an important asset in her young life.
At the age of 12, Edna moved to Hoquiam to continue her education. She moved in with an aunt and later a cousin where she assisted with the household chores for her room and board. Edna returned to Oregon to finish her junior and senior years of high school in Minerva, Oregon.
Upon graduating high school, Edna returned to Hoquiam where she met and married Earl Doolittle from Leavenworth, Washington. Earl was working as a logger at the time at the Aloha Lumber Mill. He had also been buying knotty pine logs from the company with each of his paychecks.
He built their first home in Pacific Beach with his own hands to support the love of his life. Edna and Earl were married in 1938 in Aberdeen, Washington. They spent many happy hours with their numerous friends and many fun evenings at the Green Lantern dancing. Edna was active in the Sons of Norway and served as president in 1976. Edna and Earl were happily married for 62 years. With Earl’s passing on April 12, 2001, Edna moved to her condo in Waikiki, Hawaii in 2004 and remained there until her passing.
During their many years together, they were always either at the beaches clam digging, oyster picking or fishing for king salmon at Ocean Shores in their boat. As a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a great-grandmother Edna cherished her family. Upon retirement, they regularly traveled to Oahu, Hawaii to welcome family and friends from around the world.
Edna is survived by two daughters: Bonnie Metcalfe of West Linn, Oregon and Vicki Lorella of Des Moines, Washington; and four grandchildren (her oldest grandson Louie passing in 1991 of cancer), her remaining grandchildren: Valerie Metcalfe, Dano Lorella, Jolene Eagleburger, and three great grandchildren: Niko, Tyler and Brianna Lorella.
Edna’s devoted former granddaughter-in-law Michele Lorella faithfully and diligently cared for her during her final four years.
