Caroline Mary Dickinson (Andrews) went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She passed away peacefully at age 89 on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 in Lynden.
Caroline was born in Seattle on March 27, 1934 to Stanley and Grace (Stuurmans) Andrews. When she was 11, she lost her father to tuberculosis, and her family moved to Lynden, where her mother was originally from. Her grandfather, Albert Stuurmans, was of great help providing for her family. Caroline attended Lynden Christian grade school, and then Lynden High School. She married Roland Dickinson on May 3, 1950. Together, they raised five children and had 16 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren and one on the way. In 1968, she and her husband built their dream home at the end of the Double Ditch Road, at the confluence of Fishtrap and Double Ditch Creeks. Decades of family gatherings took place at their beautiful home in the woods, now Dickinson Park.
Caroline loved her family and many grandchildren very much. She always had a sparkle in her eye, a quick-witted remark, and a knack for making life fun. She was spunky and quick to laugh. She loved to cook and bake, decorate her home, and entertain guests, as well as meet friends for morning coffee at the Fairway Cafe. Her homemade donuts and Christmas wonderland decorating were especially a treat for her family. She enjoyed planting and caring for flowers with Roland, including at Lynden Community Church. She was an avid fan of Lynden basketball and grandkids’ events. She and Roland were thankful to travel to many places in the eastern and southern United States, especially for their trip to Nashville to see the CMA awards at the Grand Ole Opry.
Caroline is survived by her brother Charles Andrews (Betty) and brother-in-law Rich Harris, children Christy Van Beek, John Dickinson (Darlene), Marilyn Johnson, Charlotte Schouten (Arlo), and Julie Denson (Howard).
Preceding her in death are her husband of 70 years, Roland, in 2021; parents Stanley and Grace Andrews, parents-in-law L.B. and Emma Dickinson, brother Albert Andrews (who died in the Korean War), sisters Mona Thomas (Vernon), Mary Hart (Lester), Patricia Harris, and Dorothy Andrews (who died in childhood); sisters-in-law Ben and Audene Holleman, David and Doris Crabtree, and Merl and Everil Rasmussen; brothers-in-law Eryl and Mona Dickinson and Hersel and Eva Dickinson; son-in-law Jerry VanBeek Sr., granddaughter Tabatha, and great-grandson Ty.
Her family is grateful and would like to express their thanks for the loving care given at Among Friends Care Home in Lynden, as she struggled with dementia the last years of her life.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 5-7 p.m. at Gillies Funeral Home. The memorial service will be at Lynden Community Church on Friday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m., following a private service at Greenwood Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” John 11:25
