Dorothy 'Dot' Mae Neirinckx, 91

Dorothy "Dot" Mae Neirinckx, 91, passed away with her family by her side on Nov. 19, 2014, at The Orchard (formally Coeur d'Alene Homes) in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Dorothy Mae was born in Du Quoin, Ill., to John and Caroline Phillips. She grew up in the Chicago area and was the oldest of four children. She helped raise her siblings and looked after the household while both parents worked full time. Her family always kept close ties with the many aunts, uncles and cousins in the Chicago area. She enjoyed playing high school basketball and softball so much so that her enthusiasm for sports carried over later to her sons.

Dorothy Mae married Edmond Neirinckx in Northbrook, Ill., and together they had two sons - John and Thomas. They had several homes in the Chicago area, finally settling in Prospect Heights, Ill. She did a fantastic job raising her two boys as a stay-at-home mom. She often found time to take her boys to downtown Chicago to see a Chicago Cubs major league baseball game at Wrigley Field.

When her boys started their own families, Dorothy Mae and Ed started traveling. In addition to trips to Montana, Texas, California and Idaho to see their siblings and children, they took several trips overseas. In 1979 they moved to a small farm in southern Illinois to experience the "farm life." There she became very active in the Franklin County Extension/Quilting Club in West Frankfort, and was the chairman in 1987. While living at the "farm," their immediate family grew with the addition of seven grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy Mae's husband passed away just four months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. Three years later, her mother passed away as well. Dorothy Mae then made a big decision to move west. She arrived in Coeur d'Alene on Nov. 22, 1993, the same day as her first great-grandchildren, twin girls, were born. While she was usually called Dorothy Mae or Dorothy while in Illinois, it wasn't until after the BIG MOVE WEST that the shortened version "Dot" took hold. She bought a condo in the Village and a new car and started a new life.

Dot continued her travels while in Coeur d'Alene with the local Rambling Rovers, going to Italy, Greece, Germany, Russia, Jamaica and other fun places. She joined the Cd'A Striders and walked many miles at the Silver Lake Mall in between cups of coffee.

Throughout her full life Dot enjoyed baking almost anything, quilting, making crafts, playing basketball/softball/badminton, painting and taking photos of anything that caught her eye. She especially had a soft spot for dogs, and finally got "Sassy" to keep her company. Being an avid bird watcher, she could always spot a new bird species in the area and used her bird books to find the particular species. Her favorite bird was the cardinal, with the bald eagle a close second, and enjoyed going out to Wolf Lodge for eagle watching rides.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Edmond and her brother, Harold Phillips. She is survived by her brother, Jack Phillips in Bozeman, Mont.; sister Roberta Bosshardt in Lewiston, Idaho; sons John Neirinckx in Coeur d'Alene; and Thomas Neirinckx in Huntley, Ill. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Dorothy Mae "Dot" will truly be missed by all her family and many friends.

A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene.

Please visit Dorothy's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.