Dorothy was born on August 29, 1931, in Chehalis to Marie and Stanley Montgomery. She attended school in Chehalis until her dad died unexpectedly when she was in the sixth grade. A few years later her mom married Oren Layton of Toledo and she graduated from Toledo High school in 1949. While in school she was a member of the Rainbow Girls and held the office of Worthy Advisor. She had a beautiful voice and sang with a band after high school and won local competitions. She went on to attend Centralia Business College and later worked at the Lewis County Auditor’s Office. In 1951 she married Ralph Aust, and they had three children Ron, Pam and Cheryl who also attended Chehalis schools.
In 1985 Dorothy married Ron Winters and they enjoyed 31 years of retirement. They lived in Toledo until they built their dream home next to the Cowlitz River near Castle Rock. They enjoyed remodeling homes in Ocean Shores, clam digging, and entertaining friends and family. She always enjoyed her Miniature Schnauzers, canning, making blackberry pies, shopping at Macys, working in her greenhouse and garden and hosting holidays at her home. Dorothy was a member of the Winolequa Garden Club and a lifelong member of the Toledo Presbyterian Church.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband’s Ralph Aust, Ron Winters, and son Ron Aust. She is survived by her children Pam Hogan, Cheryl Carroll, Nancy Carlin, Pat Winters and Ray Winters and her brother Tom Layton. She was proud of her eight grandchildren Shannon and John Carroll, Kyle Richey, Shamera Wagner, Sara Holder, Beth Fletcher, Ben Winters and Emily Winters as well as ten great-grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A funeral service will be held for family and friends on April 13th at 11:30 at the Toledo Presbyterian church followed by a luncheon.
