Dorothe O’Sullivan, 102, passed away on September 2, 2023, with her daughter and two granddaughters by her side. Dorothe Jane Cooper was born on April 21, 1921, in Boise, Idaho to William and Ulul Cooper. She was soon joined by her brother, Robert. Dorothe’s mother, Ulul, raised her four younger siblings along with her own two children. Dorothe’s father, William, was an engineer, but he struggled to find work during the depression and times were tough.
After high school, Dorothe and her best friend, Darlene, worked at Mountain Home Air Force Base and later at McChord Field. While they were helping with the war effort, she managed to find plenty of time to play with the boys and go fishing at Darlene’s cabin. The cabin would remain her favorite place in the world for the rest of her life. She would fish, hike, hunt for arrowheads, and make fabulous meals on a wood-burning stove. She found solace in the quiet beauty of eastern Idaho.
On a blind date to a St. Patrick’s Day dance in Boise, she met her future husband of 62 years and soulmate, Robert O’Sullivan. Bob worked for General Electric and Dorothe was a secretary at Westinghouse. Their relationship was considered scandalous because they were fraternizing with the enemy.
They eloped to Billings in 1950 and rented a basement apartment from a couple who would become lifelong friends. In 1955, her son Thomas was born, and her daughter Kelly followed in 1959. She raised her children, grew fabulous flower and vegetable gardens, and was active in St. Thomas Parish, Girls Scouts, and the PTA.
When the children were old enough, she went back to work, which was very unusual for women in the 1960s. She worked as an administrative assistant at the US Food Safety and Inspection Service, and later at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). She loved working outside the home.
After the children left home, and she and Bob retired, they travelled extensively including three trips to Ireland and a trip to an Elderhostel in Hawaii where they walked on a lava field at night. Bob and Dorothe were devoted participants in St. Vincent’s Supervised Exercise Program from 1989 until 2012. There they found exercise and great friends. Bob and Dorothe cherished the wonderful times they had with their fellow exercise partners who got together for meals, holidays, travel, and any reason they could dream up to have a party.
Bob passed away in 2012 and Dorothe moved to Helena to be near her family. She loved nothing better than a visit from her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Dorothe was strong and resilient; she found a way to be happy no matter where she was or who she was with. She always had a smile and kind word for everyone. She lived independently until she was 101 years old!
We would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Touchmark Memory Care Sapphire Unit who cared for Dorothe like she was their own. It gave our family such comfort to know there were so many people who loved her.
Dorothe was predeceased by her husband Bob in 2012 and her son Thomas in 2017. She is survived by her daughter Kelly O’Sullivan, her granddaughter Cambryn Coulter (Bart) and her granddaughter Marisa O’Tolls (Blaine) and four great-grandchildren: Paxon, Holden, Ayla, and Declan.
At her request, no public services will be held. The family will have a private celebration of life at a later date.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Howard E Haines says
I really liked Dorothe singing and engaging with the singing at Hymns and Sings on Sundays and other times. I didn’t realize she was just a few months older than my Dad. I miss her as she was always smiling. She also liked coming to Mass and Communion. It was late when I realized we went to the same St. Thomas in Billings (as 2 of my children were baptized there). God bless you all. Howard Haines