Dorothy E. Tippie's Obituary
DOT (Dorothy) McDONALD TIPPIE
Quietly passed away September 17, 2017, with her daughter by her side. She was born Dorothy Elaine on December 19, 1923, to Lynn and Johanna McDonald on a farm in Rockville, Nebraska. After Dot graduated high school, the family moved to Tacoma, where she found work in downtown Tacoma at JC Penney. While at a bowling alley with a friend, she met Garold (Tip) Tippie. Romance bloomed and Dot and Tip were married Christmas Eve, 1944, and in 1948 adopted Paulette, Craig in 1952 and made a home on East B Street. The neighborhood was just like one big family, with neighbors sharing kids, picnics, camping trips, birthday parties and the Tippie cabin on Mason Lake.
After her kids started school, Dot enjoyed working at Mary Lyon Elementary School, cooking and serving lunches to hundreds of children that she treated as though they were her own. Never one to let grass grow under her feet, Dot later worked at Busch’s Round Table restaurant baking delicious pies, and later, again in the shoe department at JC Penney at the Tacoma Mall. After retirement, Dot and Tip travelled extensively with friends and members of the Mr. & Mrs. Dance Club, and spent winters in Mesa, Arizona. It was a time of good food, better cocktails and lifelong friends. After losing Tip, Dot began a new chapter in her life when she sold her home on B Street and moved to the Tahoma Terrace apartments on Union Avenue to sample Senior Living. She was active in activities there, and made many friends.
Dot was a very special and classy lady who loved her husband and children with her whole heart, never spoke a bad word about anyone, was always there to help with anything that needed to be done, and a loyal friend. She was just plain good.
Dot’s son Craig, was killed on Mt. Rainier in the icefall that happened in June of 1981. She always waited for the Mountain to return him to her but that was not to be. She was also predeceased by her parents, her husband, Tip, her brother Roger McDonald and his daughter, Janice. Dot is survived by her daughter, Paulette, a niece Rebecca and nephew, Patrick and their families, her best friend Ruby Roley and very special friend Peter Whittaker. Many heartfelt thanks go to Kandie and other Home Instead staff who helped make her last weeks comfortable. And a special thank-you to Judith from Signature Home Health for “Always” and “The Tennessee Waltz.”
Inurnment at Mt. View Memorial Park. A gathering to remember Dot will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in her name to an Alzheimers and dementia charity or the Tacoma Rescue Mission.
We miss you, Mom and will love you always…
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