Dorothy Boon
After a long, rich life, Dorothy Carol Alexander Beeker Boon gently stepped out of this life and began eternity with Our Lord and those she loved who went before her. She left us on Sunday, December 14, 2025, leaving a brilliant space that surrounded her for nearly 100 years.
Dorothy was born February 8, 1929, in Kansas City, Mo., and launched herself into a life filled with friends, devotion to family, deep love, meaningful work, and nearly unstoppable optimism. She graduated as a nurse from St. Luke’s Hospital; an expression of the compassion for which she became known. She married Don Beeker in 1954 and then in 1963, with six children in tow, moved to Ludington, with no idea that it would be a place she was destined to call home.
She spent 30 years working at Paulina Stearns Hospital and Memorial Medical Center, where she formed a reputation for devoted care to her patients, and set a standard of professionalism for her peers. Nearly everyone in Ludington was touched by Dorothy’s presence in the hospital, and even after she retired in 1993, people still stopped her in the street to thank her for her kindness.
Dorothy’s life centered around the people she cared for, her family and friends and her patients, but also anyone she met who she felt needed her. For over 50 years she shared her energy and generosity as a member of Community Church in Ludington. She knitted afghans, baked nearly incessantly, incredible amounts of cookies, cakes and candy, all of which found their way to the people who knew Dottie. She was a devoted lifetime friend to countless people, and loved the special lunches with her girlfriends.
She laughed in almost every sentence. She was so filled with delight that it came out in nearly all her expressions. It made her playful and eternally younger and gave off a positive energy that drew people to her for all her life. Meeting Dorothy meant you would be changed for the better.
Dorothy married her friend of many years, Dr. A. Floyd Boon, on August 22, 1987, and the arc of her life was changed again. Their life became a joyful adventure, some days filled with gardening and others spontaneous road trips across Michigan to see family or just find a new favorite restaurant. Their home became a hive of living, with food and friends and laughter. Their gatherings on the Fourth of July were epic experiences. They shared this indefatigable happiness for 20 years until Floyd passed away.
This legacy of joy, kindness and love will be carried on by her children and all the generations that follow Dorothy’s line:
Her children:
- Michael A.(dec) (Ann) Beeker of Carmel, Ind.
- Christopher C. Beeker of Costa Mesa, Cali.
- Donald W. Beeker Jr. (Gladys) of Sarasota, Fla.
- Suzanne E. (David) Smith of Flushing
- Andrew E. (Sunny) Beeker of Costa Mesa, Cali.
- Adam W. (Patty) Beeker of Hudsonville
Her grandchildren:
Scott, Sean, Zachary, Katherine, Harrison, Carson, Sawyer, Jack, Olivia, Alexander, William, Addison, Joel, Megan, Matt.
Her great-grandchildren:
Thomas, Leea, Logan, Ila, Finley, Graham, James Patrick, Fen, Jacob
And everyone who ever was touched by this amazing woman.
Dorothy was preceded in death by:
Parents: Forest E. Alexander and Gladys (Williams) Alexande; son, Michael Beeker; husband, A. Floyd Boon; sister, Jean Denious Lowery; brother, Don Alexander.
Thank you to the Boon kids and their families: Dick, Maribeth, Mark, Kirk (dec), Maureen, for the many happy gatherings laughing, visiting, and eating in the Boon kitchen, and sharing Floyd with her.
A special thank you to Mark Boon, for all your devoted love and care over the years. Floyd would be proud.
The family offers deep gratitude to the staff at Sutter Living who cared for Dorothy.
The family will host a celebration of her life this summer, her favorite season, and invite the community to take part. The memorial service will be conducted at Community Church of Ludington, 109 N. Harrison St., Ludington 1 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2026. Family will receive friends at the church from noon until service time. The family invites you to join them for refreshments in the church dining hall after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ludington Schools Youth Resource Center.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services, www.GraceCremations.com.
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