Dee was born in The Dalles, OR on December 15th 1934. She lived in The Dalles until five years of age and then moved to Orient, OR, which was a small town outside of Gresham, OR. She attended Orient Grade School her first year and her parents then moved to Gresham where she continued her grade and high school years.

In Dee's adolescent years she enjoyed spending time on her grandparents ranch in Dallesport, WA. Several years later the ranch was sold and her grandparents moved to The Dalles, OR across from Dallesport where Dee continued to spend many happy summers.

There was always music in the family while growing up. They all had a part whether it was the piano, violin, etc., or singing. Her mother realized Dee's talent for singing so she started her in voice lessons at the age of eleven. As time went on, Dee won many talent contests. She was chosen for leads in musicals and later joined the Sweet Adeline's "City of Roses" chorus in Portland, OR. While in the chorus she sang in a quartet called "River City Sound".

Dee worked for a radio and television station, KGW, in Portland for eighteen years where she started as a receptionist and graduated into doing radio and television commercials.

In 1984 Jerry Sloan came into her life and they were married in 1986. They each brought children into the marriage. Dee had three children: Debbie, Rachel, and Craig, and Jerry two: Shannon and Chris. They were always our children because Dee loved each and every one of them.

In 1988 Jerry and Dee moved to Richland, WA where she joined the "Rolling Hills Chorus" and sang in a quartet called "Just Our Style". Being a Sweet Adeline member gave her the opportunity to travel with several of the choruses where they sang in Germany and Austria. A few years later another trip was planned to entertain in Australia at the Sydney Opera House and what made it more enjoyable was the husbands went.

She later joined the Richland Light Opera in the Tri-Cities and she enjoyed singing with the group in "Carousel and Mame". Skiing, golfing, and bowling were sports she liked to participate in, especially skiing and golfing! She and her girlfriends took several fun trips and had many memories that always made her laugh. She also sold a cosmetic line of business for many years that allowed her to accumulate many clients that became her friends.

Dee's children were very important to her. Her wish for them was they all do well in life and know they were always loved.

Dee took whatever life chose for her and then asked, What's next?

The family will hold a Celebration of Life on Nov. 4th 2024, from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Einan's at Hillcrest Kennewick

9353 W. Clearwater Ave.

Kennewick, WA 99336

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Tri-cities Cancer Center.