Charlene L Dybdahl

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and a friend to all, as longtime Bremerton resident, Charlene L. Dybdahl (Grandma “D”), passed away September 9, 2014 in Port Orchard, WA.
Charlene was born on April 19, 1924 in Hammond, Indiana. Parents, John and Mabel Barnes, moved the family from Chicago, Illinois to Yakima, Washington when she was a child. Charlene married Lawrence L. Mears on June 4, 1941 in Yakima and became a homemaker while keeping their two-room home warm and clean while raising four children. The meals she prepared on the woodstove are still a fond memory. After Lawrence passed away in Toutle, Washington in 1969, she then married Louie Dybdahl in Bremerton, Washington on November 3, 1973. Sadly, Louie (Grandpa “D”) passed away in June, 1997.
Charlene enjoyed her crossword puzzles and soap operas, and would often times stay up late in the evenings reading. She had lots of fun playing Bingo and loved to crochet Afghans for family and friends, including crocheting baby hats for the Senior Center for Harrison Memorial Hospital. Many newborns were fortunate to wear home a crocheted hat that she had made. Her great-granddaughter, Mandy, enjoyed spending time with her “Grandma D” and would also go along with her to crochet. She had a gift for writing poetry and several of her poems were locally published. She often said she wrote her best when she couldn’t sleep at night. She loved to cook from scratch and her family couldn’t get enough of her chicken and dumplings, which they wouldn’t dare try to outdo her. Her main enjoyment came from collecting Angels that stood guard in every room of her home. Her special smile and sense of humor were contagious; you couldn’t help but feel special just to be around her.
Charlene also had a special fondness for celebrity, Tom Selleck, whom she jokingly referred to as her “boyfriend”. She proudly showed off his autographed picture her daughter, Elsie, had surprised her with for her “85” birthday, which he personally signed thanking her for being such a fan.
Charlene worked for many years in the hop fields with her family, and at a sewing factory in Moxee City, Washington. Upon moving to Bremerton, she went to work for Day’s Tailoring where she ultimately retired.
Our Grandma “D” was such an incredible and special lady. She was there for anyone who needed her, even if it was to only vent about your day or troubles. She had a way of making you feel better, and her advice was always priceless. Her smile alone made it all worthwhile even if you were feeling down. Her grandchildren shared the same fondness for soap operas back in the day, and would often hurry home from school just to get the day’s update of who did what. The daily calls always made her laugh, and as soon as she answered the phone, you were always greeted with, “Hi honey!!”
Preceding her in death were her parents, also son Leslie L. Mears, daughter Darlene McDonald, and sisters Rosemarie Barnes and Helen Lynch. She is survived by her brother’s, Maurice (Donna) Barnes and Harold (Shirley) Barnes, both of Yakima and her daughter, Elsie Hall and Son, Larry Mears, both of Bremerton. Grandma “D” is survived by her 8 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, 5 nephews and one niece.
She’s greatly missed and loved by all who knew her, and even though she’s now together with other’s we’ve loved and lost, it’s comforting to know we’ll see her again someday, and we’ll be looking forward to seeing that special smile and hearing those loving words once again, “Hi honey!!”
We love and miss you very much!!
Rest in peace.