Aileen Novotney's Obituary
OUR APPLE BLOSSOM PRINCESS
In the eyes of Guy and Goldie Stoddard, their first-born daughter Aileen was always a princess. She was born in Seattle, Washington in March of 1918 and grew up in White Bluffs on the Columbia River, playing and working in the family’s peach and apple orchards. She was a loving big sister and role model to Ruth and Jeanne who remained close friends for life. No one was at all surprised when she was crowned the Apple Blossom Princess in her senior year of high school.
JUST ONE LOOK (was all it took)
An exceptional student and ambitious young lady, Aileen enrolled at Washington State University and secured a job working in the court house. One evening, at a school dance she attended with her date, fate intervened in the person of Frank Novotney. They never looked back. Frank and Aileen were married in December of 1940. He took a job in the shipyards to provide for the children that soon followed, until being dispatched to fight for his country in WWII. During these challenging times, Aileen dedicated herself to becoming the best possible wife, mother and homemaker. Upon Frank’s return from military service, Frank and Aileen joined forces with her brother-in-law Bob, Frank’s brother Stan and his wife Lois to open the Novotney Brothers Shoprite Grocery Store at the corner of 72nd and Portland Avenue in Tacoma, Washington. By this time, their family was complete and their children Linda, Duane, Darlene and Dennis settled into a happy, secure routine punctuated by the work ethic of retail and the well-fed joy of having a butcher for a Dad.
20 YEARS OF FAME
The Novotney name became a synonym for quality in Tacoma and the family well-recognized within the community. They were known for huge family gettogethers at Lawrence Lake, picnics at Surprise Lake and camping vacations at Westport. Holidays and special occasions were always well celebrated and when the kids were in high school, their home with its in-ground pool that Frank built, became a magnet for untold visitors.
PICTURE PERFECT
The beauty regimen and flair for color-coordinated fashion that Aileen mastered as a young princess were constant throughout her life. Perfectly coiffed and sporting lively jewellery – always including her watch and Frank’s fraternitybracelet – she loved to take the trolley downtown to go clothes shopping. Aileen was an ardent football fan, whether cheering on her Quarterback son Dennis or following her favorite Seahawks. She really enjoyed being a member of her bowling team for many years and was quite proud of her 145 average. Yet nothing made her prouder than sharing the joys and successes of her children and later, her grandchildren. Her children’s weddings were life highlights and inlaws genuinely welcomed as part of the family. She was generous to a fault and right-next-door available to babysit, console, advise and support. She made time to volunteer with the women’s group at her church, the Lutheran Church of Christ the King, and to share a pot of coffee every morning with her friends. Visits to her family in California and two vacations to Hawaii with her sister became the subject of many stories and cherished memories.
A GENTLE, LOVING LADY
Aileen worked alongside her family in the grocery store for many years. After the store closed down, she worked for several years with Techmatic as a hostess in their lunch room. Although she was somewhat shy and reserved, she loved people – and people loved her. She was a classy lady; always smiling and happy with a sweet disposition. Frank worked in various butcher shops and then in the real estate business until his retirement. During their 59 years of marriage, Frank and Aileen never stopped dancing. They spent many happy hours with friends at their ballroom dance club or playing
pinochle. She encountered her biggest heartbreak when Frank passed away in 1999. Despite this profound sadness along with age-related issues of hip surgery and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, she managed to maintain her positive outlook and enjoyed her final years living in an excellent nursing home. Between the many activities of bingo, bowling, music and outings with her children and many grandchildren, she received warm, attentive care and comfort. Aileen passed away just before her 94th birthday, a sad day for her children Linda and Ron Stainbrook, Darlene and Ron Akins, Duane Novotney and Dennis Novotney. She will be sadly missed also by her 14 grandchildren, 22 greatgrandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren... a remarkable legacy.
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