Terri Ellen Dickinson

Obituary Terri Lowney Dickinson, 57, of Tacoma, WA unexpectedly but peacefully passed away of natural causes at her home on November 16, 2008. Terri was born April 18, 1951 in Butte, MT, second eldest of the five daughters of William M. and Lois J. Lowney. As a young girl she moved with her family to Seattle, graduating from Ingraham High School and the University of Washington. She was a life-long member of the UW Alumni Association. Terri met Donald, the love of her life, while they both worked for the Postal Service. They eventually married and shared 32 years doing many things together, especially their long-distance car vacations to other states. Terri was a United States Postal Service federal employee for almost four decades, rising from temporary help as a teenager in a local Seattle post office to her final position as the Plant Manager of hundreds of employees at the Tacoma Mail and Processing Center. She took tremendous pride in her career path and always considered her colleagues and staff as both co-workers and friends. She often told family that she felt her life had been enriched by those with whom she worked. Terri had many life-long interests and talents, especially as a collector of Asian-Pacific art and furniture, an oil and watercolor painter, and as an avid gardener who definitely had a "green thumb" when it came to landscaping grounds, whether small or acres large. She was considered the resident plant expert by many of her treasured neighbors who lived at the Allenmore East Condominiums, where she also served as a Board Member at the time of her death. Terri truly enjoyed family gatherings and was known for her ability to bake some awesome desserts, especially her carrot cake. She lived her life with an Irish independent spirit, often doing things "her way", even as she brought joy into the lives of others blessed to have known her. She had a beautiful smile and always considered her eyes to be her best feature. Those who knew her would agree because when you looked into her gorgeous eyes you knew you that you were seeing into the soul of a wonderful woman who truly saw you and loved you in return. Terri was preceded in death by her beloved husband Donald Lee Dickinson, mother Lois, mother-in-law Mary and brother-in-law Ken. Survived by her adoring and loving family, first and foremost by her Dad, William M. (Bill) Lowney and then her four sisters and their husbands: Pat Jennings (former spouse Michael Jennings); Debra and George Hofbauer; Mary and John Faure'; and, Kathe Lowney and Frank Flaherty. She had six nieces and nephews: Brendan Jennings and wife Desiree'; Ryan Jennings and fiancée Jennifer Gubernick; Dane Hofbauer and girlfriend Averyl Dunn; Paige Hofbauer; Tyne Duxbury; Astra Hurst and her husband, Jerron. Terri also had two grand nieces and one grand nephew: Brooklynn, Kaileigh, and Jace Hurst. She is survived by Betty Lowney in TN and her extended family, and numerous other beloved relatives in Montana. She is also survived by her father-in-law Carl and his wife Hazel, her brother-in-law Ronald and his wife Victoria, a nephew, Ashley (Leslie), one niece Laura (Chris) Van Hoy and children, and other Dickinson family relatives in Idaho. At her request, there will be no services. Donations of remembrance can be made to your favorite cancer charity or to Terri's - the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The Lowney and Dickinson families thank everyone for their prayers and support at this time of shock and grief. Terri, you are deeply loved and will be forever held close in our hearts, as every passing life leaves something beautiful behind.