Doris Tippins

Doris (Nique) Tippins age 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 20, 2013, at The Willows in St. Joseph, MI. Nickie, as she was fondly known by friends and family, was born February 7, 1923 in Grand Rapids, MI the daughter of Julia and Ralph Nique. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, December 23, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085 with Chaplain Scott Labbe officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice at Home. Doris attended Pontiac High School in Pontiac, MI and graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in elementary education. After graduating from EMU, her life-long spirit of adventure led her to California, where she taught school on Catalina Island for a brief time. Her adventurous spirit continued, leading her to Palmer, AK where she was a pioneer in teaching prior to Alaska’s admission to statehood. While a teacher in Palmer, she met and married Rankin “Tip” Tippins, her husband of 63 years. Together, Doris and Tip explored the natural beauty and wonder of rural Alaska. Doris and Tip later lived in Seattle, and with the birth of their two daughters, they eventually settled in St. Joseph. Doris went on to teach at E. P. Clarke Elementary in St. Joseph for the next 20 years, where she was widely known in the district as a beloved and creative teacher. Throughout her life, Doris enjoyed camping and visiting natural parks with her family. After retirement, Doris & Tip enjoyed several winters in Arizona and the beauty of the Southwest. Doris is survived by her husband Rankin, of St. Joseph; daughters Deborah of Athens, GA, and Rebecca of Columbus, OH; and sisters, Rose Marsom and Berta Lou (Schafer) Stiles. Doris was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Bill Nique.