Delores Pike

Delores Mae Pike, 91, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on April 12th, 2023, at The Willow Cottage.

She was born April 20, 1931, in Muskegon, MI and her parents were George & Julia Gilbert who later moved to Traverse City.

She attended Central High School and graduated from Leelanau Schools. She attended Ferris Institute where she became a paralegal secretary.

“Dee” as she was known was a devoted Mother and wonderful homemaker. She had three children, Jeffrey Arlan Pike, Cynthia Marie Pike, and Jennifer Julia Pike. Also, 2 stepchildren, Sally Owens and Randy Pike.

Her passions throughout her life were cooking and needlepoint. She became a master of both. Known for her ability to throw wonderful parties and gatherings where all would marvel at the glorious food she could make. She spent many hours attending cooking classes and gained professional knowledge from Chef Herman whom she helped teach classes occasionally at the Grand Traverse Resort. She had a passion for Oriental works which she incorporated into most of her needlework. Some pieces so grand it would take her 2 to 3 years to complete.

She was very active throughout her life cross-country skiing, downhill skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado with her son Jeff and family and was an avid walker at the Civic Center. She loved to roller blade with her granddaughter Danielle. She very much loved her children and grandchildren and was very generous to her family as a Mother and Grandmother.

She is survived by daughters Cynthia Pike Stewart, Jennifer (Allen) St. Amour, grandchildren Danielle Dedloff, Jeffrey (Rita) Stewart, Troy Pike, Hailey Pike, Melisa (Bill) Dittrich and Steven Owens. Daughter-in-law Patty Pike and niece Jill (Mike) Killby.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Arlan Pike and her sister, Karen Brobst.

Cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held in Crested Butte, CO at a later date.

Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more. The family is being served by Life Story Funeral Home.

Contributions can be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th floor, New York, NY 1001. Checks should be made payable to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.