Dolores Armstrong

Dolores Henrietta Armstrong passed away peacefully at her home early Saturday morning, August 17, 2013. Dolores (Dee) was born April 17, 1925 in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Her parents were William and Henrietta (nee Tilly) Domke, and she had one sister, Eldonna. Her father died when she was 6 months old and her mother when she was twelve. Eldonna preceded her in death. Dolores attended Saint Joseph Schools and then Benton Harbor where she graduated in 1944. After high school she attended nursing school in Chicago at the Illinois Masonic Hospital where she completed her program and worked there through WWII. On July 26, 1947, Dee married William (Bill) Armstrong and accompanied him to Ann Arbor to live while he completed dental school at the University of Michigan. Their first two children, John and Gail, were born while living there. Shortly after Gail’s birth they moved back to Benton Harbor, where their third child, Tom, was born. Dee was one of the founding members of her St. Joseph women’s stock club and served as president. She was also a long-time member of Monday Musical Club in St. Joseph. Throughout her life Dee was an avid boater, gardener and had a love for national and international travel. She spent her later years avidly attending her grandchildren’s sporting and extra-curricular events. Dee is survived by her husband, Bill, and their three children, John (Kristin) Armstrong, Gail (Dr. Patrick) Hellner and Tom (Dr. Cheryl MacDonald) Armstrong. Grandchildren are Maggie and Tyler Hellner, Ian, Rachael and Jessie Armstrong, and William and Greer Armstrong. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Thomas Batsky officiating. Burial will be held at Riverview Cemetery in St. Joseph. Friends may visit from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice at Home. Those wishing to share a memory of Dolores online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.