Barbara Harned Dorsett

Barbara Harned Dorsett was born March 9, 1925 in Rochester, New York and raised in Evanston, Illinois with older brother Roger, twin brother Gordon, and a younger set of twins, Dudley and Betsy. Married 60 years to Alvin E. Dorsett, who preceded her in death in 2006, together they had 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. They enjoyed living 25 years on Mercer Island, before moving to San Diego, CA. for 25 years, then Tucson, AZ.

Barbara sang in the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church choir where she was a soloist. She also sang with the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society. Barbara designed then manufactured “Dorsett Self Trainers” which were sold across the country. She designed, helped build, decorate and run “Mr. Pickwick’s Eating House”, an old English restaurant in Pioneer Square. For fourteen years she had her own interior decorating business. After retiring, Barbara wrote six novels, and many children’s stories. She also loved to travel the world. Most recently with her darling Douglas Donner, who has made her last four years very happy. Barbara believed in living your dreams.

Barbara passed peacefully March 27, 2014 on Mercer Island. She is survived by two of her children, Kim Dorsett of Yakutat, AK, and Leslie Dorsett of Sammamish, WA. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 PM, with reception to follow, May 10th at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Mercer Island

Presbyterian Choir.