Dorothy June Buddecke

Dorothy June “Dottie” Buddecke (nee Thompson), of Florissant, MO, left us peacefully at home, in the presence of loved ones Monday, December 30, 2024, at the age of 94. Beloved wife of the late William Albert Buddecke; cherished daughter of the late Flossie and Leo Thompson; devoted mother of Terri (Bill) Illy and Sharon (Jim-deceased) Chibnall; loving grandmother of David Illy (Lacia Hensiek), John (Michelle) Illy, Greg (Kimberly) Illy, Cydney (Anatole) Chibnall-Jakobson, and Sam Chibnall (Kara Parman); treasured great grandmother of Ava and Cole, Lexi and Lane, and Charlie.

Born on September 16, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, Dottie was the only child to Flossie and Leo Thompson. During her childhood, her family spent a brief time in Buffalo, New York, a city she spoke of with admiration and astonishment at its brutal winters, followed by Columbus, Ohio, where she gradutated from Mifflin High School in 1948, , before heading back to St. Louis. Her passion for science and education then led her to attend Elmhurst University, a small liberal arts school just outside of Chicago, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in 1952. Degree in hand, she once again returned to St. Louis, this time calling it her forever home. She found a job that she loved, working as a Med Tech, spending most of her career and retiring from SmithKline Beecham Laboratories. 

On June 8, 1957, Dottie married William “Bill” Buddecke. The two had met at a YMCA bridge event , and Dottie loved telling their meet-cute story: Dottie didn’t like bridge, but had accompanied her friends to the event; Bill had just come from a fishing trip, and was wearing a raggedy t-shirt and jeans; Bill approached Dottie and asked her out, promising to “clean up” for their dinner together, and Dottie took a chance. Dottie and Bill created a beautiful life together. They shared a passion for the outdoors and water sports, and fell in love with the Lake of the Ozarks, where they had built their retirement home together. Life had other plans, though, and while the two didn’t get to live out their days together in the house, Dottie lived life to fullest in her Ozarks home, opening it to family and friends, rambunctious birthday celebrations, and many loud summer BBQs with her kids, grandkids, and the many family dogs. She loved the Ozarks, and was at her happiest on quiet boat rides down the lake, or simply sitting on the deck with her dogs watching the waves pass by. 

Dottie, affectionately known as “Grandma Budd” and “Gma”, will always be remembered for her kindness, adventurous spirit, and love of sports, games, and animals. Her daily activities included doing crossword puzzles, watching jeopardy, and eating ice cream. Summer came with the addition of regularly watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, and winter, the St. Louis Blues hockey games. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and had many memories of being a dedicated Girl Scout leader. After retiring, her adventurous side led her on a hot air balloon ride in her 70s, an Alaskan cruise, and a trip to New Orleans to help with clean up efforts after hurricane Katrina, among many other adventures. She loved animals, adopting many dogs over the course of her life. Her last dog was Lucy of 19 years, whom she loved her dearly. Dorothy was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

A service to celebrate Dottie’s life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2025, with visitation from 12:30 to 1:30pm, followed by a memorial service from 1:30 to 2:30pm at Baue Funeral Home Cave Springs, 3950 West Clay Street, St. Charles, MO 63301. 

Memorials may be made in Dorothy's name to Dogwood Animal Shelter.