Remembering Delorise ‘Dee’ Reeves, 1929-2016

Family and friends are remembering Delorise Pauline Reeves, who died this week at age 87. Here’s the tribute they are sharing with the community:

Delorise Reeves (Dee/Grandma D), age 87, entered eternal life on August 15, 2016. She was born on February 26, 1929, to parents Lester and Sarah Burton. Dee was the youngest of eight children. In 1945 she married Joe Bates. They had three children; in 1964 the marriage ended. Dee met Harry Reeves at Boeing and they married in 1967.

Always inclusive, Dee joyously welcomed anyone into her home and family. Everyone who spent time with her was bound to feel loved and accepted without judgement. She often went out of her way to take family members to classes, appointments, interviews and anything else that was needed. She never said no.

Her spirit is carried on by three children, seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Son Larry Bates (Cris), grandchildren Erik, Kerry, and James. Son David Bates, grandchildren Andrea and Pauline; and daughter LeeAnn Tiede (Tom Jr.), grandchildren Matthew and Kirstin; as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and family too numerous to list but not forgotten.

We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from Dee, among them: Rats cannot survive after being struck by a rock catapulting from a slingshot. Also: shining a flashlight in family members’ eyes never ceases to be a great source of entertainment. Never say no to pet sitting, but while in your care feed them as many table scraps as possible. You could expect your dogs to be pleasantly plump upon your return. Stay young at heart and flirt with as many cuties as possible. No conversation is off limits. If your phone call goes unanswered, continue to call until they answer. Persistence is key. Never let a day go by where you don’t laugh. Be active, play tennis, go camping and bowl with ferocity. Maintain lasting friendships. Never say no to a board game with your family. Thermostats have a mind of their own, they cannot be trusted. Give to every charity that asks. Swear that you haven’t donated to any, and act confused as to why they are sending you calendars. Attend church at least once a week and help out with whatever is needed.

Dee was everyone’s biggest supporter and will be missed fiercely. She is reunited with her husband Harry, her sisters, and many loved ones.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

3 Replies to "Remembering Delorise 'Dee' Reeves, 1929-2016"

  • d August 19, 2016 (11:33 am)

    Such wonderful lessons from a great woman

  • JunctionKyle August 19, 2016 (1:47 pm)

    Such truly lovely sentiments about what sounds like a remarkable lady. Hopefully she continues to shine her light from wherever she is.

  • Mike August 19, 2016 (2:12 pm)

    As a longtime neighbor of Dee’s, “Thermostats have a mind of their own, they cannot be trusted”  Explains a lot. 

    Godspeed Dee

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