Dorothy May Proctor Pace's Obituary
Dorothy May Proctor Pace was born in Tacoma, June 12, 1924 to Sarah & John Proctor, immigrants from Canada. She grew up in South Tacoma attending Edison, Grey and Lincoln schools. She started working at Ft. Lewis in 1943, working in the Pentagon for a time after the war. Dot told many stories about the rooming house and adventures while back east. She returned home in 1948 and continued working at Fort Lewis. She -Å"retired- when she married Willard (Bill) B. Pace July 29, 1950. She told everyone that they were sitting on her retirement because she used the money to buy her furniture.
In 1951 daughter Gail was born but died at 6 weeks. John/Jack came February 5, 1953 and Jill February 21, 1956. She was a devoted mother to both of her children. Because of them, she was greatly involved in local PTA and Girl Scouts. The Pace yard was a neighborhood hang out, partly due to the ever present cookie jar of homemade cookies.
She also was involved in Beta Sigma Phi, Garden Club, Ladies Society of Firemen, Lady Engineers and many other clubs. In the early 1970's she was Tacoma Counsel President for PTA. For several years she entered into the Puyallup Fair for flower arranging. From 1950 to 2000 she was a member at Asbury Methodist Church. Dorothy served on many local and national committees for her clubs and church. Dorothy and Bill were members in several dance clubs through the years. Granddaughter Lauren has some of her square dance dresses and a formal or two.
Early in the 1960's she and Bill purchased property on Fox Island that continues on as a family legacy. Many summers were spent between the -Å"beach- and her tidy little home in Tacoma. Fourth of July was marked by her annual Luminaries displays stretching out into the sound, sometimes traveling as far as the Narrows. Dorothy and Bill ran an open cabin all summer- -Å"bring something to barbeque and something to share, stay for s'mores and the moon reflecting on the water-. Dorothy didn't mind being in the cabin kitchen since it had a grand view of Mt. Rainier.
The 70's started her world travels. Her first trip was to Paris, France with her cousin Phyllis. Over the years she traveled back to Europe and to Asia. She travelled with friends to Palm Desert for several years. She also travelled with Bill throughout the west and to Canada to visit family.
She knew every back road in the Tacoma area and told everyone which way to drive. In general she was a force of nature. She was fun and funny all of her life. She would ask you a thousand questions just to learn, but rarely judged your answers. Dot was game for most anything and figured, -Å"Why not-.
Dorothy was devoted to her only grandchild, Lauren, from the moment she was born in 1990. She often babysat or found reasons to watch Lauren. Books and a good game of UNO were always part of their time together.
Dorothy moved to Franke Tobey Jones Health Care Center when she no longer could care for herself. The staff at Franke Tobey Jones all thought she was great to work with in her 2 ½ years there. She kept them laughing with her humor even as her body failed.
Donations may be made to the Franke Tobey Jones Employee Scholarship or Health Care Service Funds at Franke Tobey Jones, Fund Development Office, 5340 N Bristol ST, Tacoma WA 98407-2204.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
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