Dorothy Elizabeth DeMoss

Dorothy “Dot” Saxby DeMoss. 90. passed away suddenly on May 29. 2026, in her home in College Place, WA, where she had lived for more than 60 years. She was born to Glenn Saxby and Alice Elizabeth Conklin Saxby on July 26, 1935, at General Hospital in Walla Walla, WA, and graduated from Walla Walla College Adventist Academy in 1953.

Dorothy worked throughout her life, beginning at Carnation Dairy and later retiring from Stone Mortgage Company, where she worked in computer programming. Even after retirement, she continued working with her daughters’ formalwear business, The Purple Parasol. In every workplace, she was valued not only for her skill and work ethic but also for the friendships she formed and kept throughout her life.

Dorothy was first married to Whitney Miller, with whom she had four children, and later to H. Wayne DeMoss, with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. She was a longtime member of the College Place Village Church of Seventh-day Adventists and remained active in the church until her passing.

Dot’s life was marked by faith expressed through hospitality, service, and steady love for the people around her. Her home was the ever-present gathering place for a large family and a wide circle of friends. Over the years, she hosted thousands of meals, from crowded celebrations to quiet dinners and simple coffee and toast shared at the table. To many, her home was a comfort zone, a second home, and lovingly, “Dot’s Diner.”

She was the glue of her extended family, creating a place where love, laughter, stories, and the occasional enthusiastic disagreement could all belong. Dorothy’s care was practical and generous: she cooked, baked, sewed, gardened, hosted, helped, and made room for people. Her apple pies and cookies, pot roast, and potato salad hold a special place in the memories of those who loved her.

Much of Dot’s free time was spent at Priest Lake, ID, where she generously shared her rustic cabin with friends and family for decades. She often said the cabin on the lake was her favorite place on earth.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, H. Wayne DeMoss; grandson, Kasey Miller Bolster; brother, Doyle Saxby; and sister, Elaine Saxby Emmerson. She is survived by her four children and three stepchildren: Scott Miller, Shirley Miller Giarde, Sheryl Miller Brewer, Sharlene Miller McCulley, Kevin DeMoss, Mitzi DeMoss, and Steve DeMoss. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, many great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A memorial service for Dorothy will be held on July 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM. at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home in Walla Walla, WA. A private family burial will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in College Place, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Walla Walla Humane Society or Walla Walla Valley Adventist Schools through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362. Friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.