Reverend Dorothy L. (Dot) Starkey
Dot was born to Delbert and Violet Ihrig (Timm) on January 23, 1953, in Port Angeles, WA, and she went to be with the Lord on July 27, 2023, in Prosser, WA.
Dot graduated from Moses Lake High School, and later received her teaching degree in Special Education from Central Washington University. She went on to earn her first Master’s degree in School Administration from Heritage University, and another Master’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Northwest Nazarene University.
In the summer of 1973, Dot met Bill Starkey on a blind date in San Diego, CA. They were married on August 16, 1975, in Moses Lake, WA. In 1979, they moved to Prosser, WA, where they raised two children, Jodi and David.
Dot was a Special Education teacher for over 40 years, mostly in the Prosser School District, where she also served as an interim High School Vice Principal, Director of Special Services, and Principal of Prosser Falls High School. Dot also taught in the Mt. Adams, Wapato, Finley, Burbank, and Grandview School Districts.
After receiving her call to the ministry and becoming ordained, she fulfilled a dream of leading her own church. Dot was the founding Pastor of New Beginnings Nazarene Church in Benton City, WA, a position she held until her passing. One of her happiest moments as a minister was being able to dedicate her granddaughter Sophia to the Lord.
Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Delbert Ihrig and Violet Embree. She is survived by her husband, Bill, of Prosser, daughter Jodi Sabin of Prosser, son David (Heather) of Woodland, WA, and the most important people of her life, her grandchildren: Kora Sabin of Prosser, Sophia, Preston, and Eli Starkey of Woodland, WA. Dot is also survived by her brothers, Ron (Barb) Ihrig of Port Angeles WA, John (Betty) Ihrig of Roy, WA, and special family friend Larry Nye (Angela) and family.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Mario Chenal and his staff at North Star Lodge in Yakima for over 21 years of cancer treatments, which enabled all of us to have extended years with this special lady.
A memorial service for Dot will be held on August 19, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. at the Grandview Church of the Nazarene.
Memorial donations can be made to New Beginnings Church of the Nazarene in Benton City, WA.