Dorothy Lee Page
December 27, 1922 – January 26, 2025
Dorothy Lee (Bohle) Page was born on Dec. 27, 1922, in the home of her parents, Edwin and Ora Bohle in Lebanon, Ore. She attended the old South School, Queen Anne Grade School, and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1940.
Dorothy and her sister, Charlotte, played several instruments and tap danced for many community events during their childhood.
Dorothy attended Oregon State College for two years, returning home to be the bookkeeper for the Bohle Creamery Company during World War II. While at Oregon State, she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was chosen both her freshman and sophomore years for the Sarah H. Waldo Award of Outstanding Students.
On Sept. 5, 1942, she married Lawrence Page, a teacher and coach at Lebanon High School. They had two children, Carol Thorburn of Long Beach, Calif., and Larry Page of Sunnyvale, Calif. Dorothy and her husband “Bud Page” were involved in Lebanon High School activities for 40 years where Bud Page was principal for 23 years. Their names now head the “Bud and Dorothy Page Alumni Hall of Fame” where outstanding Lebanon High graduates are inducted each year.
Dorothy has been a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church and served there as a deacon and elder for several terms. She began playing the organ at her church at the age of 16 and continued playing both the organ and the piano for nearly 80 years. She played for her first wedding ceremony at the age of 14.
She held memberships in the Lebanon Junior Women’s Club, Hospital Auxiliary, PEO Sisterhood, Order of Eastern Star, Oregon State Mother’s Club, the Lebanon Study Club, Present Day, and served on the Lebanon Library Board as treasurer. She also volunteered as a cook at the Lebanon Soup Kitchen for several years.
Dorothy was honored in March of 2016 at the Lebanon Distinguished Service Awards Banquet as Senior First Citizen for her many years of community service. She was inducted into the Bud and Dorothy Page LHS Alumni Hall of Fame in 2015 for Lifetime Recognition.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bud Page, and her first grandson, Tony Leonnig. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Thorburn (Michael); her son, Larry Page (Lynne); three grandsons: Jeff Leonnig (Kaycee), Carson Page (Vanessa), and Dr. Brady Page (fiancé Dr. Rebecca Hammond); six great-grandchildren: Paige Parker (Quinten), Luke Leonnig (fiancé Samantha Stanley), Natalie Leonnig, and Chloe, Charlotte, and Sadie Page.
Dorothy’s strong faith, love for her family and friends, and her dedication to the community were an inspiration to all that knew her. She enjoyed music, traveling, reading, cheering on the Oregon State Beavers, and her various social clubs. Her biggest pride and joy were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her smile and sense of humor brightened everyone’s days. She made a huge impact on so many lives and will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
A private burial service was held Feb. 1, 2025. There will be a public Celebration of Life in the Spring. More details to follow.
Dorothy believed deeply in the importance of providing educational opportunities for others. She requested that any donations in her honor be made to the following organizations:
Lebanon Schools Foundation, Memo: Bud & Dorothy Page Leadership Scholarship, mail to Lebanon Schools Foundation, PO BOX 2052, Lebanon, OR 97355; P.E.O. Educational Loan Fund (ELF), Memo: In memory of Dorothy Page, mail to P.E.O. Executive Office, Treasurers Department, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.