Dortha “Dot” Pile
Dortha R. “Dot” Pile, 98, passed away November 1st, 2021 after a short hospitalization. Dot retired from the Lansing Civic Center where she was the facilities booker and secretary. She enjoyed many years of travel all over the world and made many friends thru Maryanke Travel and walking at the Lansing Mall. She bowled in leagues at Metro Bowl and other lanes in the Lansing area.
She was blessed to be able to stay in her home as she wished thru the care of her granddaughter Rachel and in prior years help from Rachel, Sheri, Sharon, Debbie and cousin Penny Stange and great granddaughter Kadince and many kind neighbors.
Dot is survived by her daughter, Lori (Steve) Watson; granddaughter, Rachel (Andy Lehman) Schweer; great-grandchildren, Kadince, Kamrin, and Kloie Schweer; cousin Penny Stange; and niece, Shirley.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Flossie and Clifford Proudfoot; husband, Gaylord; and brother, Donald McClure.
A private graveside service will be held at Deepdale Cemetery where she will be laid to rest beside her parents.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made in Dot’s name to Old Newsboys, one of her favorite charities.
7 Messages to “Dortha “Dot” Pile”
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Walt Sorg and Megan Kavanagh
November 5, 2021 at 6:54 amGentle, kind, a wonderful friend and neighbor. We’ll miss her sweet smile, but take comfort that Dot is now reunited with her dear friend Jan Lagrow.
Penny Stange
November 5, 2021 at 8:46 pmFor a Dear Cousin who provided me with wisdom, friendship, laughs and loads of good conversations snd memories, I shall miss you. You gave me the opportunity to help you with things that were not so easy for you to do anymore. Best of all you liked almost everything I cooked for you.
Penny Stange
November 6, 2021 at 6:12 amMy Dear cousin Dot: It’s hard to really describe what Dot meant to me. Dot represented love, generosity, wisdom, adventure of life and friendship. She was there the day I was born and remained a part of my life. To say that I will miss her is a big understatement.
Judy Pardee
November 6, 2021 at 3:42 pmDot was my next door neighbor from the mid-80s for about 10 years. We became dear friends. She enjoyed traveling and I will always remember our trip to Toronto to see The Phantom of the Opera. And a Twin Oaks group ( Steve, Michelle, Syd, Mary, Dot and I) had many outings to DeLuca’s for pizza.
When I was in bed for 5 weeks with back problems, Dot helped me and my dog, Manny. Dot loved him as much as I did. She was like a second Mom with all her help.
I will always remember her kindness, laughter, sense of humor and her smile to all—her door was alway open to welcome everyone in the neighborhood. When I see how many current neighbors love her, I can see she remained the same all these years later.
Dot, we all love you and will miss you. It was an honor and privilege to have you in my life.
Mary
November 10, 2021 at 1:22 pmIt was truly a blessing to have Dortha Pile as my neighbor and friend for over 30 years. It was my privilege to visit her practically daily during the COVID shutdown, bringing her favorite foods, getting meals and coffee, cleaning, shopping, writing letters, and just spending time talking and watching her favorite TV programs with her. During these many hours spent with her, I came to admire her greatly. Dot was not a people-pleaser, and did not always conform to others’ expectations of her. Both rare qualities. She was generous to a fault-with her money and with her time. She had an ‘open-door’ policy. If one of her friends was in trouble, she was quick to come to their aid. I learned a great deal about life and friendship from Dortha Pile!
Deborah Baer Jarous
November 21, 2021 at 2:19 pmDot was part of my dad’s team managing the Lansing Civic Center from 1962 through 1976. She was kind, loyal, and as I recall had a dry sense of humor that as a teen I didn’t quite understand. Reading others comments it is apparent she was loving and loyal to all she met. May she Rest in peace.
Penny
December 3, 2021 at 2:32 pmHow nice of you to remember Dot from so many years ago. She truly was loyal and loving. And she did indeed have a sense of humor that was sharp and witty. She was loved by many. Again, thanks for kind words.
Cousin Penny Stange