Kent lost a longtime friend and committed community member, Dee Doxsee, Saturday, April 16, in Sun City West, Ariz. She was born June 6, 1923 and was 86 years old.

She was spending her 18th year at spring training watching her favorite team the Seattle Mariners.

She was a volunteer at Willow’s Place in Kent helping the homeless, and she was well know by many in the community.

There will be a Dee Doxsee Celebration of Life at noon April 23 at the Salvation Army Church, 720 South Tobin St., Renton.

Following are comments from some of her friends who knew her best.

Sally Goodgion

“Dee was a very special lady. She was a great Mariner fan and attended 18 years of Spring Training. She was a great friend to the homeless in Kent. Dee was known as the coffee lady at Willow’s Place every Thursday night. She will be honored on May 19 when they have their open house at  214 N. Washington at 5:30 p.m.

“I loved her spirit for life. She was a member of the Kent Kiwanis group that meets every Friday at Golden Steer and never missed a meeting. She always had a smile and comments for all. She will be missed by so many people.”

Cheryl Anderson

“Dee is an inspiration to all of us! She was always willing to help others. She loved to travel and she would actually do the things she loved to do… not just talk about them. She loved life, she loved people, and she loved the Lord.  Her love touched all those around her. She made the most of each and every day. While quiet and unassuming, you couldn’t help but want to just be around her and soak up her loving spirit! She had a special twinkle in her eyes and a smile for everyone. She has touched so many lives in so many ways…. she will be greatly missed and never forgotten. She loved the Mariners. While the Mariners have lost a great fan here on earth….I am sure if there is a baseball game in heaven. Dee will be there cheering on the teams!.”

Doug Anderson

“We can all look at Dee and be reminded of a true, loyal Mariner fan. She loved this team. As most of you know, she spent two weeks each year at spring training. She went this year and got in the first week at the games before she went into the hospital. Even though she wasn’t physically able to attend the second week, there is no doubt that she wanted to be there and she was there in mind and spirit. Looking at Dee, it’s hard to imagine her in her previous professional life as a corrections officer. However, I don’t doubt that she did her job very well and handled herself as if she was another foot taller and 100 pounds heavier. Over the times I have gotten to know her, we shared many stories, both past and present from the jail. There is no doubt in my mind she had and made many a good friend over the years. She always spoke very positively of the co-workers in her day. Oh….  MY OH MY …. you are going to be missed Dee.”

Annie Feyereisen

“Dee Doxsee was one of those genuine souls that touched so many lives during her time here.  Her smile and laugh were infectious.

“Dee loved her baseball and I can only hope to be as adventurous as her in my latter years. Seeing her every year at spring training with the green hat, Catalyst Travel Group, was tradition and it just won’t be the same without her. I feel blessed to have had the pleasure of rooming with her on a few trips-she was the real thing, a class act.

“Dee did a lot of community service over her lifetime, most recently with Willow’s Place where she served hot beverages every week. She will be sorely missed by so many,

“God has a new angel.”