Dorothy Ann Sawaya, daughter of Louis (1898-1965) and Violet (Younes) (1907-1988) Sawaya, was born 14 February 1930, Wayne County Michigan. Dorothy's parents, married 8 April 1923, Michigan, divorced 17 May 1932, Wayne County, Michigan. Violet charged Louis with extreme cruelty and asked for support for the 4 children; Lucille, 6 years, Edward, 4 years, Dorothy, 2 years and "Louis" (Charles) 3 months.
Violet's father homesteaded in North Dakota around 1900 and was one of the first Arabic speaking immigrants in the Mid-West. After her divorce from Louis, Violet married Joseph Solomon, a native of Syria, 17 September 1938, Marion County, Ohio. Dorothy was 8 when Joseph became her step-father.
Louis later remarried and moved to California where he and his new wife had 3 children.
Dorothy graduated in 1947 from Okemos High School. She married Arthur Doney "Art" Karslake 23 September 1947, Bath, Eaton County, Michigan. Art, son of Frank Doney (1870-1955) and Leona Fern (Griss) (1892-1983) Karslake, was born 26 June 926 St. Louis County, Minnesota. He was a World War II Army veteran. Art and Dorothy's first born child, Patrick Doney "Pat" Karslake, was born 16 November 1948. Pat would also be a graduate of Okemos High School, Class of 1966.
The name Doney, which was used as a middle name for 3 generations in the Karslake family, was the maiden surname of Frank Karslake's grandmother.
Dorothy and Art were parents to 3 children. Dorothy worked for many years at East Lansing State Bank. She succumbed to cancer 22 April 1975, Ingham County, Michigan. Art retired after 30 years employment at Oldsmobile and died 24 March 2001, Ingham County. Art and Dorothy were interred East Lawn Memory Garden, Okemos, Ingham County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Wednesday 22 April 1975
DOROTHY A. KARSLAKE
Mrs. Karslake died at a local hospital April 22, 1975 after an extended illness. Born Feb. 14, 1930 in Detroit. She was a resident of East Lansing for many years. She was employed at the East Lansing State Bank as the Manager of the Master Charge Dept. and also served as an officer of the bank. She was a member and past president of the Women's American Banking Institute and a member of the Okemos First Baptist Church and attended Lansing Community College. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Arthur D.; 2 daughters, Deborah A. Karslake and Pamela S. Larsen; 1 son, Patrick D. Karslake; 2 grandchildren, Rachel Ann and Kylee Marie Karslake; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Solomon; 2 brothers, Edward Sawaya and Dr. Charles Sawaya; 3 sisters, Mrs. Lucille Ruonavaara, Mrs. Janet France, Miss Kathy Solomon and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Gorsline-Runciman East Chapel, East Lansing with Rev. Winthrop E. Robinson of the Okemos First Baptist Church officiating. Interment in East Lawn Memory Gardens.