Obituary: Alter, Dorathy (Holton) “Dee”
She was born to George and Esther Holton in 1921 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
She grew up with two younger sisters, Jeanne (deceased) and Carol.
She graduated from Washburn High School at the age of 16 and received a scholarship in art at the Minneapolis Art Institute.
She attended the University of Minnesota for two years, but limited financial resources and the beginning of WW2 made it necessary for her to stop attending college and get a civil service job with the Army Air Force Materiel Command.
In 1944 Dee applied for and was hired as a stewardess with American Airlines and was assigned to Los Angeles as her base.
She remained there for 20 years, during which time she obtained a license for interior decorating.
She worked in that field as well as for the airline.
She was chosen to fly with Pat and Dick Nixon during the 1956 vice presidential campaign trips.
Four years later, in 1960, then Vice-President Nixon requested the same crew and Dee flew with them again during the presidential campaign.
In 1963, Dee met the love of her life and future husband, Mel Alter, the General Manager for Kaiser Aluminum on the East Coast.
They had a coast to coast courtship, flying back and forth for dinner dates in San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles.
They were married on November 20, 1964.
Shortly after the wedding, Mel was named Executive Manager of Kaiser’s Volta Aluminum Co. new plant in Accra, Ghana and they moved to Accra.
The couple loved the Ghanain people and stayed in Accra for five years.
Dee was able to indulge her love of painting while in Ghana and made many beautiful paintings of the area.
They enjoyed traveling extensively in Africa and Europe and made many lifelong friends during their stay.
After Ghana, Mel took early retirement from Kaiser and in 1972 Dee and Mel moved to Spokane where Mel had been asked to join EXPO ‘74 as the first General Manager for the World’s Fair.
They found they enjoyed living in Spokane and stayed.
Dee was able to complete her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree at Fort Wright College.
She continued with her passion for painting.
She and Mel lived in their home on the South Hill until 2001 when they moved into the Rockwood Manor now known as the Ridge.
Sadly, Mel passed away in 2002.
Although she missed him terribly, Dee continued to enjoy her many friends and activities at Rockwood.
She was legally blind for the past 10 years but did not let that stop her from enjoying life.
Dee is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Carol and Irving Milberg of Accord, New York; nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
Her family would like to thank the staff at Rockwood Assisted Living for their wonderful care.
A gathering to remember Dee will be held on October 23, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Rockwood Manor Meeting Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Rockwood Residents Foundation, 2903 E. 25th, Spokane, Washington, 99223.