Aleta Jane Dodd passed away on July 8, at 101 years of age. A lifelong resident of Blaine, Aleta was born to Earle and Alice (Jackman) McKinney on June 7, 1922. She attended Blaine schools, graduating with the class of 1940. She married Harold “Bud” Dodd on Nov. 22, 1945. Bud and Aleta raised their family in Blaine, while building their business, Blaine Marina, Inc., on the waterfront. During her lifetime, Aleta was active in the Blaine Congregational Church, DeMolay Mother’s Club, and the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She celebrated 81 years of membership in the Order of the Eastern Star and 75 years as a member in P.E.O. International, Chapter J. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud, in 2003.
More than anything, Aleta loved and enjoyed her family. She always made holidays and birthdays special and made the best Christmas fudge. Aleta spent countless hours at ballfields and gymnasiums watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports. Aleta would always be there to support her family with encouraging words. Aleta also loved arts and crafts, in particular doing needlework. She could spend hours working on a project while watching television and talking with others in the room. When they weren’t working in Blaine, Bud and Aleta loved to travel. After many trips to Scottsdale, they officially became snow birds with the purchase of their “MoCondo”. Once in Scottsdale, Bud and Aleta enjoyed the winter sunshine, meeting new people and spring training baseball games.
Aleta is survived by her sons Mike (Diane) of Blaine, Steve (Chris) of Blaine; grandchildren Julie Dodd of Blaine, Rob (Julie) Adams of Lynden, Erica (Mike) Gantt of Aledo, Texas, Jay (Joelle) Dodd of Lynden; great-grandchildren Ryder, Dawson, Spencer, Alex, Mattie, Reagan, Mason, Chloe, Capri; Sister-in-Law Donna (Dodd) Stanford of Blaine, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Family graveside services were held at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale on July 18 under the direction of Jerns-McKinney Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Dennis Wildermuth. The family wishes to thank the staff of Stafholt for their compassionate care and suggests memorials to the Stafholt Good Samaritan nursing center, 456 ‘C’ Street, Blaine.
