Dorothy Ann Robinson, 80

Dorothy Ann Robinson, 80, of Helena "went to be with her Lord and Savior" on May 20, 2009, after a short illness. She was surrounded by her loving family who helped her through her last journey. Dorothy was born on March 20, 1929, to Genevieve and Henry Pieper in Helena. She was the second oldest of three girls in the Pieper family. Dorothy was raised in Helena and lived nearly her entire life on Villard Avenue.

During high school in 1945 she met the love of her life, Richard Robinson, a young soldier back from the war. Richard and Dorothy were soon married on Feb. 2, 1946, and spent the next 57 years together. They bought a home on Villard Avenue across the street from where she grew up and raised her family of three boys and one girl there.

Dorothy had recently moved to Sonheaven Assisted Living in Helena, but always dreamed of her return to the only home she knew.

Dorothy spent most of her life as a working mom and a loving, caring grandmother. She worked at the Zip In & Out drive-in and later as a secretary for Garrett Freight Lines. Then she worked for the State of Montana, Department of Transportation as a key punch operator until her retirement.

It was during this time she enjoyed embroidery and making latch hook rugs as gifts and mementos for friends and family. Dorothy was an avid bowler and participated in many bowling leagues in the Helena area. Most recently her good friend, Carlee Buckley, would take her to the bowling alley to watch and visit with all her friends.

Dorothy loved baseball and followed all her sons and grandsons to all their games, many times as the official scorekeeper. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and always watched every game she could. Whenever you went to her home the only thing on TV was baseball or some other sport. Mother loved her sports, which kept her going these last few years. She enjoyed her family and visits with them during the holidays.

"She is missed by all, but now will be back with her loving husband Richard."

She is survived by children, Doug and Jeannie of Billings, Ron and Carole of Salt Lake City, Kent and Rosie of Helena, and Karen and John Kropp of Columbia Falls; and her grandchildren, Jason, Brandie, Casey, Alisa, Linsey, Brian, Jeremy, Kevin and Ryan; sister, Joanie Pacheco, of Libby; niece and nephew, Jack and Nita Creach; and good friends, Marge Garden and Carolyn Gorshe.

A viewing for Dorothy will be from 6 to 7 p.m. today, at Hagler-Anderson Funeral Home. Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at Hagler-Anderson Chapel, and interment will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Dorothy's life immediately after Saturday's service at Dorothy's home, 2006 Villard Ave., in Helena.