Dolly Tracy died June 7, at her apartment in Helena, Montana. She was 97. While Dolly spent the past 17 years as an active resident of East Park Villas, the story of her first 80 years is one of love, laughter, and family—and a remarkably American experience.
Dolly Kathryn Monroe was born January 17, 1920—the first day of Prohibition—in Sioux City, Iowa, to Anastasia and George Monroe, a railroad engineer. After Anastasia’s death in 1922, Dolly’s older siblings George and Goldie took charge of the house, and the local “ladies of the evening” looked after the Monroe children while George Sr. was away for work.
In 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, George Jr. let Dolly tag along to a town dance. It was there that she met a kid from Salix—Orville John Tracy. From there, Dolly and O.J. never looked back.
In 1936, O.J. headed to California with a group of Hawkeyes, seeking a better life. When Dolly graduated from high school in 1937, O.J. invited her to join him in Los Angeles. She got on a train. Rather than live in sin, Dolly shared a house with a group of girlfriends until, on February 12, 1938, she and O.J. married at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Eagle Rock.
Dolly and O.J. welcomed Nancy Ann on October 21, 1939, and their family was completed on November 23, 1943 with the birth of Vicki Lynn. Like their mother, the Tracy daughters were strong, smart, fiery, devoted women who put their families first. Dolly held high standards for her daughters—and when Jim Murray and Jude Duvernay came along, she embraced them as her sons.
Dolly had a successful career, starting in the late 1940s in an entry-level position at Valley National Bank. She retired thirty years later—after surviving several bank mergers and (she claimed) multiple armed robberies—as the assistant manager of Lloyds Bank in Alhambra. Dolly was lauded by bank executives for her management efficiency; she carried these skills forward for the rest of her life, balancing her checkbook each month to the penny.
Behind this was an abiding love of adventure. To celebrate her twentieth anniversary at the bank, Dolly and O.J. took an ocean liner across the Atlantic and spent a month exploring Europe by train—a trip she recalled vividly until the end. After retiring, O.J. and Dolly joined their children (and grandchildren) in Juneau, Alaska; over the next four decades, Dolly stayed close to her family, living in Arizona, California, and, finally, Montana.
Most importantly, Dolly was devoted to her family. She and O.J. were a constant, loving presence in their grandchildren’s lives as they grew up. Family time was part of the weekly routine. She hosted Sunday breakfasts after church, and her home was always open for her grandchildren to visit for an hour, or a day, or a weekend. After O.J.’s death in 1987, she embraced her role as “Gee Gee,” and continued to share her wisdom and pass on skills to the next generation (and the generation after that). She was especially proud of teaching her great grandson Nick how to play poker before he was 10.
The desire to learn never dissipated as Dolly got older. At one point, after tiring of reading romance novels, she started to write one herself. Dolly tried to learn sign language at 95, in order to better communicate with a neighbor. A week before she died, she expressed a desire to enroll in a college history class—and wanted to be sure that her high school grades were good enough ensure her admission.
Dolly’s great-great granddaughter Josephine captured her spirit best when she recently declared, “Gee Gee, you are a treasure.”
You are loved!
Dolly was preceded in death by her husband Orville Tracy, her siblings George and Goldie, and her daughters Nancy Ann Murray and Vicki Lynn Duvernay. She is survived by her sons-in-law, James V. Murray and Jude Anthony Duvernay; her grandchildren James A. (Leslie) Murray, Laura (Craig) Trapp, Jeff (Irene) Duvernay, Jennifer Duvernay, Nicole Duvernay, Aimee (Greg) Monck, and Stephen Duvernay; her great-grandchildren Adelia Murray, Catherine Murray, Emily (James) Hackethorn, Nicholas Trapp, Travis Duvernay, Gabrielle Duvernay, Noelle Duvernay, Matthew Pfeifer, Kaitlyn Monck, Bayli Monck, Tyson Monck, and Quentin Monck; and her great-great-granddaughters Josephine Hackethorn and Elizabeth Hackethorn.
A vigil will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, AUGUST 27th at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. on Monday, August 28th at Saint Mary Catholic Community. A funeral reception will follow the Mass in the fellowship hall of the church. Rite of Committal will follow the reception at Resurrection Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Sunday August 27, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Monday August 28, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the Mass
Monday August 28, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Vigil
6:00 p.m.
Sunday August 27, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Avenue
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Mass
12:10 p.m.
Monday August 28, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Funeral Reception
Following the Mass
Monday August 28, 2017
Saint Mary Catholic Community
1700 Missoula Ave
Helena, Montana 59601
Andy, Allison, Patrick and Cassandra says
Dear Tony, Laura and all the Duverney family,
We are sorry to hear about Dolly but I know she was ready to rest. What a wonderful, humorous and gracious woman she was. Prayers to you all.
wheelduzzie stolp says
i had the privilige of serving miss dolly with meals on wheels for quite a few years. she was such a gracious lady and was so pleasant to be with. thank you miss dolly for allowing me to serve you. may god bless and keep. duzzie stolp
Debbie Montgomery says
Always had a wonderful time at Aunt Dolly’s house. Will never forget all the Family get togethers, the baby showers for Aunt Mary Jo, Uncle Orville’s food truck and the pink poodle. May you rest in peace Aunt Dolly and say hi to everyone for me. Sorry I won’t be able to be at the funeral.
Love to all,
Cousin Debbie
Judy Ober says
Tony and Family
I didn’t know Dolly very well, but heard so much about her from Vicki. My heart goes out to her for losing both of her daughters before she went to her heavenly home. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this time.
God Bless all of you