Ann Dority Arango

Our matriarch, Ann Dority (Carol Ann) Arango, passed peacefully September 16, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 85. Born February 18, 1941 in York, Nebraska, she was the first child of Helen Louise (Mastin) and Verle Dickinson Dority.

Ann grew up on the family homestead near Shelton, Nebraska, down the road from her paternal grandmother. Always comfortable in rural Nebraska, Ann said she and her three younger brothers figured out how to ride one bicycle down the gravel road to visit Grandma Ada after school.

Following high school graduation in 1959, Ann tried college but thought it was too expensive for the family. After a series of entry level jobs, she moved to West Point, New York, to live with an uncle who taught at the military academy.

There she met her future husband, Cadet Roger Joseph Arango, Jr., whom she married in June 1967 at the Academy. Their son, Clayton Porter, was born in 1971, followed by twins Craig Dickinson and Ada Suzanne in 1974; but infant daughter Ada passed shortly after birth.

As a military family, they moved frequently and lived in many places, including two postings in West Germany that afforded many opportunities to travel. Ann especially loved tours focused on art history in the cathedrals and museums of Europe.

After Roger’s retirement from the Army in 1986, the family moved to Ellensburg, Washington, to settle down. However, Ann and Roger divorced shortly after the move. Feeling alone with two teenage boys in a new town, she wanted to return to Nebraska to be closer to family. But her sons insisted, so Ann stayed in Ellensburg.

A single mom in her mid-40s, Ann went back to school to earn a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology in 1988, supporting herself as a student worker in the Central Washington University library. This ultimately became a 25-year career as a civil service librarian. She retired in her early 70s as staff emerita.

In retirement, Ann cultivated many loves, including supporting the sport and artistic activities of her grandkids, and mending books as a volunteer in school and city libraries. She made baby quilts for her friends’ children and grandchildren, she went to exercise class, and she stopped at D&M Coffee every morning. She especially valued her painting group, and she loved painting pet portraits for people whose furry friends passed away.

Throughout life, Ann was a strong and independent woman who lived life how she wanted. Her sons agree it was truly amazing that she stayed in Ellensburg to start over after her divorce. “We toasted her bravery and determination at Thanksgiving last year,” said son Clay.

Ann was many things to many people. She was an auxiliary mom to her sons’ high school friends, keeping her pantry stocked with snacks for her kids and their friends, despite a low-paying job. She was the cool mom who in her 80s came to watch her kid perform in punk rock concerts. She even gave her kid’s 50-year birthday party guest the middle finger to show where she got rabies shots after a bat bit her.

Ann was a non-judgmental person who accepted people as they were, without prejudice. She was a kind and generous person who volunteered her time and artistic effort to make people feel valued and loved, and to support her community.

She could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them smile as she talked about her “wild streak” (a brightly colored streak in her hair). Or, she might regale you with stories about her “half-cat” (a neighbor cat that spent part of its days at her house).

Ann was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Douglas Allen Dority, and daughter Ada Suzanne. She is survived by her sons, Clayton Porter Arango (Robyn), Ellensburg, and Craig Dickinson Arango (Minette), Seattle. Other survivors include two brothers, Michael L. Dority (Debb), Kearney, Nebraska, and John F. Dority (Elaine), Basehor, Kansas, as well as her sister-in-law, Stella Duarte Dority, Des Moines. Her grandchildren include Zerian Alexander Arango (Maggie), Nathaniel Collins Arango, Serena Helen Scheffer-Arango, Tristan Peter Stewart Arango, Jasper Reid Stewart Arango, and great-grandson Forrest Timothy Arango. Other survivors include nieces and nephews and their children on both sides of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Yakima Union Gospel Mission or Friends of Ellensburg Animal Shelter, two causes Ann supported. Please also consider donations to the Gretchen Weller Foundation, whose mission is to provide comfort for families in our community who are battling cancer.

Ann valued family and friends above all. She loved her children, grandchildren, and daughters-in-law unconditionally. She was the gravitational center of her family, and she will be deeply missed.

Please join the family of Ann Dority Arango Friday, Oct. 9 from 3-5 p.m. for a celebration of her life at the Ridge Encore Restaurant, 404 N. Pine St, Ellensburg. Light snacks will be served, and guests are asked to bring their favorite memories of Ann to share.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com