Dorothy Acton

Dorothy Marie Acton, age 87, of Augusta, MI. Our dear and beautiful Dorothy Acton, on January 11, passed peacefully to the beauty of eternity. Born July 12, 1928, in Verdon, NE, as the second child to Stacy Ede Brown and Myrtle Henderson Brown. At the one-room Cornell Elementary School, Dorothy was the lone student in her class for eight years. In 1945, she graduated from the Dawson, NE High School as valedictorian, and in 1949, from the University of Nebraska with a degree in economics and Spanish. Dorothy taught Spanish for three years at high schools in Scottsbluff, NE, and Birmingham, MI. On June 30, 1951, she bravely married artist, cowboy, farmer and soldier, Hugh Collier Acton, of Scottsbluff, NE, at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. After the war, they moved to Birmingham, MI, while Hugh attended Cranbrook Academy of Art. Upon graduating, Dorothy and Hugh began a long partnership in the arts, furniture and product design and manufacturing. They created two design and manufacturing companies, which they sold to Brunswick Corp. in 1967. They settled in Augusta, MI where they would live for the next 50 years. Dorothy was a member of the Birmingham Art Center, and served as President of the Junior Women's club of Birmingham. She was a founding member of the Richland, MI Community Library and the Seedlings Garden Club. She served a term as President of Friends of Art and on the board of the Kalamazoo Institute of Art. Her bridge club friends were dear to her and her distinctive flower arrangements appreciated by many. Dorothy was a valuable partner throughout her husband's career in industrial design and constituted his exuberant support crew at his many athletic meets around the U.S. She masterminded family edu-ventures to Europe with her three teenage children. Inspired, she and Hugh pioneered x-country skiing in southern Michigan for ten winters, creating Tur-Ski-Ree on their Augusta farm. Dorothy's beautiful home, garden and love for her family and friends were always shared. Dorothy is survived by Hugh, her husband of 65 years; and three children: son, Rad Acton; daughter, Tana Acton of Santa Fe; and son, Ty Acton of Mitchell, NE; and by four grandchildren, Frey Anya, Tate and Klair Acton and Owen Barth. In lieu of flowers, those planning on expressions of sympathy may wish to consider memorial contribution to the Kalamazoo Institute of Art, McKay Library, and/or Planned Parenthood. A memorial gathering for Dorothy will held at the W.K. Kellogg Manor, Friday, January 15, at 6:30-8:30 PM. Arrangements by Farley, Estes, Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel.