"If I should ever leave you to go along the Silent Way, grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there. And when you hear a song or see a bird I loved, please do not let the thought of me be sad… For I am loving you just as I always have." 

-Isla Pascal Richardson-

Dorothy "Dot" Helen Waite, 88, beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 27, 2014, at Rosetta Assisted Living in Richland, WA. Dorothy struggled for several years with the debilitating effects of Alzheimer's.

Dorothy was born on September 4, 1926, to Sabina and Anthony Schneider in Gary, Indiana. She was raised in Gary and graduated from Horace Mann High School.

Although mom met her future husband "John Kenneth" while attending the same high school, they did not begin dating until he returned to Gary in 1945, after serving in the Philippines during World War II. Dad and mom were married in Gary on August 21, 1948. Soon after the wedding, she left her family and moved across the country to Pullman, WA to support her husband's dream of a college education. While John concentrated on his studies, mom worked at Cougar Cottage to help support the young newlyweds. In 1949, she and "Ken" welcomed their first child, a daughter, and Dorothy then began her full time career of raising a family.

After dad's graduation from Washington State College in 1951, the couple moved to Richland where he had accepted a job with General Electric. Mom continued her work as a stay-at-home mom as five more children were born. Mom was the ultimate homemaker, making everything from scratch including breads, desserts, soups and noodles. Mom canned the fresh fruits and froze the veggies from the huge garden she and dad maintained. Jams and jellies, grape juice, root beer, and taffy were just a few of her specialties. Often with starts from neighbors or friends, mom established flower gardens around the family home that dad designed and the two of them helped build. Mom was an accomplished seamstress and hat maker. She sewed clothes for all of her children, adding many details to tailor them to their liking. Her children always had new Easter outfits – often matching. The pheasant feathers that mom plucked from the birds that dad shot were fashioned into stunning hats. All this and mom still managed to spend time with her children and keep a house so clean you could eat off her floors. Friends with only a couple of children marveled at what she could accomplish with six! Mom instilled in her children (at least some of us) a love for baking, cooking, canning, gardening, and sewing. Her children learned the value of hard work along with organizational and cleaning skills. Thanks mom!

Mom enjoyed taking walks along the river, swinging on her favorite park swing and water aerobics at the court club. She and dad belonged to a bowling league where she won numerous awards over a span of 25 years. Their team name was "Dot's Pets."

Mom loved her six children very much, but her grandchildren were extra special. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for them. She looked forward to babysitting duties when they were young and participated in many of their activities as they grew older. Once when she was in her seventies she strapped on roller blades because they asked her to. She truly was a hands-on grandma. She and dad spent many hours cheering them on at gymnastic meets and soccer games, celebrating birthdays and attending their graduations.

She also treasured her female friendships and enjoyed celebrating during their monthly birthday lunches.

Mom and dad enjoyed retired life by taking annual RV trips with long-time friends to Pacific Northwest campgrounds and travelling to Hawaii, Mexico, Spain, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand and China. And with family they roughed the outdoors at Wells Lake, Whidbey Island and the Tucannon.

Favorite family memories include her use of her favorite "discipline" tool; directing a boyfriend to a daughter's window at 3:00 a.m.; her beautiful smile, laugh and ease in making conversation with people she had just met. She allowed us to experience the joy and responsibility of having pets including gerbils, dogs, turtles, a rabbit and anything else we could catch.

When mom went through treatment for cancer she did so with patience and without complaints. Although she was short in stature, she was strong in will and character and lived up to her nickname, "Bull of the Woods."

Mom and dad celebrated 63 years of marriage before dad's death on November 22, 2011. Dad always told his children that mom was the love of his life and if it weren't for her, he would not have accomplished what he had in life.

Mom is survived by daughter, Linda Waite and husband Steve Palmer, Richland; granddaughters, Allison (Palmer) MacKay and husband Jason, Spokane; Andrea (Palmer) Tamez and husband Carlos, great grandchildren, Ava and Coy Tamez, Pasco; daughter, Laura Waite and Mike Guajardo, Pasco; daughter, Sue Rallens and husband Rick, Kennewick; grandsons KC and Ryan Rallens, Kennewick; son, Corey Waite and wife Jen, Richland; daughter, Carolyn Fritz and husband Kirk, Roseville, CA; brother, Albert Schneider; sister, Deanna and other relatives.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Waite; son, David Waite; parents, Sabina and Anthony Schneider; brother, Bob Schneider; and sister, Marjorie Mace.

Mom, although life will never be quite the same without you, the love and memories of you will be with us always.

Viewing will be held at Einan's at Sunset, Richland on Saturday, November 1, 2014, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. The family plans a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations of remembrance be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Tri-Cities Cancer Center or the charity of your choice.