- Date Of Birth: January 5, 1926
- Date Of Death: February 3, 2022
- State: Virginia
Dorothy White Bakke, 96, died peacefully on February 3, 2022 at Goodwin House in Alexandria. Dorothy was born in 1926 in Macon, Georgia to Allie Jeff Doster White and General Miller Grieve White.
Dorothy and her family moved to Washington D.C. in 1937 when her father was called to active duty and assigned to the War Department. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Washington, and then attended Hollins College, where she graduated in 1947 with a BA in English.
About ten years later a good friend played match maker, and introduced her to a widower with four small children, Major Thomas N. Bakke, USAF and Naval Academy graduate. They married in 1962, and Major Bakke was transferred to Patrick Air Force Base in Florida at the beginning of the space program. Dorothy was again widowed in 1964, when the aircraft Major Bakke was piloting crashed due to a mechanical failure.
Dorothy settled back in Alexandria, Virginia to be near family. As she wrote: “I have experienced periods of military life, periods of civilian life, periods of being single, being married, and many years as the single parent of five wonderful children, two boys and three girls. Those wonderful children are now successful adults with families of their own.”
Dorothy’s Christian faith was the foundation of her life. She was a devoted member of Grace Episcopal Church in Alexandria for almost 60 years where she enjoyed volunteering her time and talents in many areas including President of the Altar Guild, Junior Warden of the Vestry, Church Trustee, and Office Volunteer. She also regularly helped in the community with delivering meals-on-wheels and working at the local food pantry. Dorothy’s artistic ability and her incredible talent for needlepointing led her to design and create an original piece of needlepoint for a lasting legacy in her beloved church.
As a lifelong learner, Dorothy was interested in everything, and would find new challenges to help others and further her enjoyment in life. She learned how to transcribe books into Braille for the Society of the Blind, she pursued a master’s degree in English Literature from George Washington University, plus received a certificate of Education for Ministry from the School of Theology, University of the South. Dorothy always had a book in hand. She loved reading classical literature as well as a good mystery novel. She never shied away from learning how to fix things herself whether it was to wire a lamp, put in a faucet, or wallpaper a room.
Dorothy loved being outdoors especially at the beach or in the mountains. She also enjoyed gardening, hiking, birdwatching and golfing. She always said “In all of these things, I confess to being a dabbler rather than an expert which doesn’t seem to diminish my enjoyment in the least.”
Traveling and seeing new places was another favorite passion. Dorothy travelled with family and friends, taking many memorable trips. She enjoyed seeing more of the United States, which expanded her vision of our country and its history. She was always happy returning to Virginia especially to her cabin at Bryce Mountain, the Shenandoah Valley, and Shrine Mont in Orkney Springs.
Dorothy had a life full of challenges, perseverance, and duty, but most of all, she will be remembered for her grace, loyalty and kindness towards others.
Dorothy is survived by her sister Robin Marlow of Denver, Colorado, her sister-in-law Mary White of San Antonio, Texas, her sons John (Carolyn) Tate of Austin, Texas, Thomas (Diana) Bakke of Virginia Beach, Virginia, daughters Sara (Philip) Callahan of Freeland, Maryland, Susan (Ivor) Fredrickson of Huntsville, Alabama, and Jean Bakke Cain of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Preceding her in death was her beloved brother Miller White of San Antonio, Texas.