Dorothy Kampbell's Obituary
Dorothy Kampbell died peacefully on January 15, 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. She was 94 years old, 3 weeks shy of her 95th birthday. She was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin on February 4, 1930 to her parents, Frank and Alma Schlieder. She had 1 sister, Betty. The family stayed in Wisconsin until she was a teen, when Frank found work in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from Montesano High School. She married soon after and gave birth to her “three beautiful children”. Following divorce, she found employment as a medical secretary, working in hospital and private practice settings. Although she lived most of her life in the Tacoma area, she moved to Salem, Oregon for 7 years. She continued to make regular visits to Tacoma, where she met her future husband, Richard “Dick” Kampbell. The two were married in 1976. They purchased a home in Tacoma, where they lived together until Dick’s death in 2005. Dick and Dorothy’s combined talents and skills helped them create a beautiful and hospitable home environment, indoors and out, that was so welcoming to company. If family ever needed anything, Dorothy always happened to have just what you wanted in her well-organized attic or freezer.
All of her life, Dorothy made friends easily and loved to entertain. As her family expanded, she welcomed all with love and warmth. She was very skilled in the kitchen and loved to cook. Among her favorite things to do was to host family get-togethers and have visitors. They had to expand their kitchen to make room for all the hustle and bustle of lively hospitality. She loved to make people feel comfortable and was happiest when her house was full of family. She made sure she kept everyone’s favorite drink stocked in the fridge. Dorothy was legendary for her skills at finding ways to delay her loved ones departures. “You have to leave so soon? Oh darn, I thawed lobster tails for dinner.” (It worked.)
Dorothy also used used her talents as a seamstress to make clothing and crafts, especially around the holidays. She was often recruited by grandchildren to help with projects.
Dorothy enjoyed adventures and had the gift of convincing her husband to travel with her. The two went on cross-country driving trips to see the sights and maintain connections with family and friends across the US. They also made visits to Hawaii and Canada. After Dick died she continued to be interested in travel and went on group cruises and visits to American cities, Europe and China with her theatre group, family and friends. Dorothy is survived by her children, Suzanne Davis, Bruce Fontaine, his wife Lorie, her stepson Robert “Rob” Kampbell and his wife Janice. Her daughter Michele and stepdaughter Liz both passed in 2001. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren, all of whom she dearly loved. The family is grateful to the care facilities that helped her in her final days, including Gloria’s House, and all the beloved caregivers she called her “best friends”. We are especially grateful for the support given by her grand daughter Megan Simmons
Donations can be made in her name to the Emergency Food Network of Pierce County
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