Dorothy Mae Van Deest's Obituary
Being originally from Des Moines, Iowa, she was educated at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Dorothy was an avid quilter and asked specifically for her membership in the Memphis Cotton Patchers Quilt Guild to be mentioned because she was honored to know and sew with each of her friends in the group. She also wanted it said that she belonged to the Memphis Herb Society. Dorothy was a longtime member of First Evangelical Church and volunteered many years in the church library.
Despite her ups and downs throughout life, Dorothy was vivacious. She has always been such an inspiration to this family throughout our myriad of sadness and tragedies. A person of great courage, persevering in the face of repeated loss, she drew from God’s grace to continue onward loving people, even those who were difficult to love, for His name’s sake. Her hope was always that it would strengthen them in their walk with Him and towards salvation. Her attitude taken from Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God,” and “Keep on keeping on,” was one that has been ingrained in many of us forever.
An artist of grand proportion, she appreciated the subtle nuances of life and relationships–and the value of fun…and with these insights she loved us very well. Even in her failings she loved us so well. But, she loved Jesus more, she was always making it a point to bring to mind and heart the things of the Lord and what God’s word says. She put into practice His love, grace, and compassion for others around her. What a beautiful example of how we ought to be. Consistent. Stubborn about the important things, but permissive and forgiving about the rest. She showed up to every event she was able to, for family, and for all the grands and great grands.
This present chapter of the life of Dorothy Mae Fisk (Van Deest), Mother, Bestemor, and Grammie, has come to a close. She is now living out eternity with her maker and lover of her soul, Jesus. She has not left any of us behind, rather (as usual) she has gone ahead of us to lead the way. Those present at her welcoming home are 2 daughters and a son, as well as a son-in-law: Judy Wyse, Diane Brown, Ronald Van Deest, and Gary Brown. Many friends too, were there to receive her. Those of us awaiting our turn to join her include: Her brother and his wife, Donald & Patti Fisk, A Daughter & Son-in-law Vicki and Richard Hill, Son-in-law Ronnie Wyse, Five grandchildren and their 3 spouses: David Hill, Kristin & Michael D. Davidson, Emily & Aaron Marvel, Richard & Barbie Wyse, and Lauren Wyse, and five great-grands: Leah Davidson, Angel Kiesling, and Brighton, Emerson, and Eden Marvel and a second cousin Carol Overland.
We will miss her out of selfishness, but for no reason would we ever deny her her homecoming with her Lord. Because of this we choose joy, because she is now complete and whole, lacking in nothing, perfected by God’s grace and basking in the glow of the glory of The Creator and Savior of her Earthy life.
Our Grammie Dorothy was an energy. The room shifted when she was in it, even when she was quiet. Her laugh rang through the walls and echoed everywhere. Where that joy came from–I would wax poetic and say ‘no-one knows’ but we all know it was from her longtime love of Jesus. He was what made her glow, and what made her a force in our lives. What a gift we have had. What a pleasure to enjoy, and an honor to have been a part of her story.
Grammie Dorothy wanted to tell everyone this, “I am only sleeping and waiting for my Lord to come and raise me up to Him.”
Family will receive friends Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38119. Her graveside services will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 15, 2022 at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, Tennessee 38119.
Dorothy has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations would be made to St. Jude and/of LeBonheur children’s hospitals. (She herself did this in our honor each Christmas and such donations on her behalf would bless us greatly.)
**Our hope as a family is that childhood cancer be eradicated, and with enough funding of research that is a possibility we believe in whole-heartedly.
What’s your fondest memory of Dorothy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dorothy?
Share a story where Dorothy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dorothy you’ll never forget.
How did Dorothy make you smile?