Dorothy (Dot) Helen Brill Ratcliff
Horsewoman, outdoors women, tennis player, historian, stenographer, and 2 x cancer survivor, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed peacefully on Nov 20, 2021 to meet her heavenly family. Dorothy’s parents are Helen and George Brill. Dorothy was born on Dec 28, 1934 in Upland, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Media High School, Media PA, in 1952.
Dorothy embraced the outdoors her whole life: including camping with family, bird and big game hunting, fishing, playing tennis, backpacking, horse riding, bird watching, gardening, raising many dogs (mostly Labrador Retrievers) and hunting for wildflowers and morels.
Dorothy has had an adventurous life. She was raised in Media, Pennsylvania, and always had a horse growing up. When she was 21, she and her girlfriend Lee, headed to California, never to live in the East again! She cruised the west in her convertible and worked in California and Arizona and met Marvin, in Flagstaff, in the library of the Northern Arizona University campus. They were married in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday, Sept 13, 1960. They celebrated their anniversary every Friday 13th.
The first part of their married life took them to mining camps across the Western US, as Marvin’s career is exploration geology. During these early times, Dorothy was involved with camping, being camp cook and taking care of the pack horses. Daughter Sonya was born in Raton, New Mexico, and her brother, Russ, was born in Bisbee, Arizona 18 months later (where they lived in an adobe house in Naco). As a true outdoorswoman, Dorothy backpacked with them both starting at the early age of several months! The family moved to Kellogg, Idaho, living in a mining company house above the smelter – what fun they had with the neighbors, huckleberrying, rowboating, and general outdoor life.
Dorothy and family spent their next 6 years in Tucson, Arizona. While there, Dorothy got her Bachelors of Arts in History from the University of Arizona. So much time was spent exploring the desert! The next move was to Butte, Montana, for 6 years where Dorothy became a Girl Scout leader, was active with Aldersgate Methodists Church, volunteered at the World Museum of Mining and held misc. stenographer jobs. Butte gave Dorothy the chance to have a horse again, with many weekends spent outdoors and weekdays spend on the tennis court. Marvin’s mining geology career moved them to Park City, Utah, where Dorothy was active with her horses, tennis, flipping burgers, and more time with church, and in the mountains. The next move was to Nye, Montana, with a great life of horses, the mountains, and lovely social groups.
In 1981 Dorothy and Marvin moved to Helena. The move to Helena allowed Dorothy to obtain a full time job with Montana State Government; a happy administrative career within the welfare system. Their acreage gave her the opportunity to continue her love for horses, dogs, and being outside. She has volunteered with groups such as English as a Second Language, literacy, tutoring, historical preservation (including Montana Historical Society and Marysville Pioneers), cancer survivor support groups, and activities with St. Pauls’ Methodist Church. And of course in setting up the indoor courts with the Last Chance Gulch Tennis Association. Dorothy has played tennis most of her life. Some of you reading this may have played with her!
Dorothy and Marvin have enjoyed traveling throughout the USA and internationally. They speak Russian and Spanish together and that has guided some of their travel destinations. Dorothy’s favorite place to be is in the mountains – hiking, fishing, berrypicking, or just looking at wildflowers (how about that Bear Grass!).
Dorothy is survived by Marvin, her husband of 61 years, dog Sable, daughter Sonya (Scott) of Butte, son Russ (Kendall) of Helena, granddaughters Erin (Jake) with granddaughter Lily Eveland, Anita (Peter) Mathew, Jeana, sister-in-law Nancy, cousins (Kathy, Sue and Nancy), nieces (Linda), nephews (Ed, Don, and Dave), and their families in Pennsylvania. Dorothy survived her older brother George (Velia) Brill of Bortondale, PA and younger brother Don (Nancy) Brill of Gettysburg, PA.
In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial to the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming, 2303 Grand Ave., Billings, MT 59102, 1-800-736-5243.
Dorothy invites you to sing the Happy Wander Scout song:
I love to go a-wandering,
Along the mountain track,
And as I go, I love to sing,
My knapsack on my back
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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Ann Baker says
Dorothy was a great lady and will be missed! I enjoyed our times at the Pioneer Picnics and learning about the history she had gathered on the Schafer House.
Dorothy Bullock says
My condolence to the familys Dorothy had an wonderful experience lifes. I love reading about her life that she live and her song
Cathy sullivan says
Mrs. Ratcliff was my Girl Scout Leader for many, many years. She was a smart, kind, creative and generous woman and will be greatly missed. Love to her family
Annette and Robin Holcomb says
We send our condolences to all of Dorothy’s family. We have fond memories of our times together over the years after moving from the East to Tucson in 1967, when Dorothy and Marvin made us feel welcome in that new “foreign” environment. She was a good conversationalist and curious to learn about new things. We will miss her.
Anita Eccles says
Sonya, I still remember when your dad – my boss, mentor, and friend – brought me to your home in Park City, to have dinner and meet your mother, you, and Russ. It’s been special to have our lives intertwined through the past 40 years. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing.
Carol Bridge says
I enjoyed meeting Dorothy at the Broadwater Health Club. She was always very pleasant and enjoyable to be around. I will miss seeing her. Prayers and Blessings to her family. She and Marvin were great neighbors.
Bob Chamberlin says
Marvin, Sorry about your wife’s passing. Bob Chamberlin
Diane Williams says
Dorothy was a lovely lady. And by reading her life story, a lively one!
It has been so sad that her last few years were so bad, to say the least.
Please accept our deepest sympathy.
Diane and Budd Williams
Carol Stebbins says
To “Marv” and his Family –I have many fun and happy memories of tennis games with Dorothy—she was always a
fierce contender and kept all of us on our “toes”!! My sincerest sympathy to you all.
Carol Stebbins
John & Jeanne Kinneberg says
Dear Sonya – We were so saddened to hear of the loss of your mother. Our hearts go out to you, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. With heartfelt sympathy, John and Jeanne
Roberta Forsell Stauffer says
Sonya and Family: My heartfelt condolences to you upon the passing of your amazing mom. I will never forget the wonderful times she created for us all as the best Girl Scout Troop Leader ever!! Hard to believe those memories date back 50 years or so. Wishing you peace during this difficult time.
Len & Concetta Eckel says
Dorothy was always fun to play tennis with. Carol is right! She kept us on our toes. What an adventurous life well lived. Our sympathies to Marvin and family.
Lee Crawford says
Dot and I met in high school in PA, and “hung out” together during those years. My niece and I moved to CA for a change of weather, and 2 months later, Dot joined us. We three shared a small apartment and, oh, the fun adventures we had, learning to live in a totally new environment. My niece moved on with a new job, and Dot and I continued living and working together until I got married and she decided to head for Arizona to school. To the day she passed, we kept in touch, through all those years. I moved back to PA for a time, and she and Russ and Sonya visited me there. She was Maid of Honor at my marriage. Dot has always been a very special person in my life. Though separated by miles for years, we never lost contact. Through Sonya, I was with her almost to the end. I loved her like a sister, and do truly miss her.