Dorothy May Dickey Bisbee
(Mrs. Elmer Bisbee)
- Dorothy May Dickey was born to Arthur M. and Marion L. (nee Murphy) Dickey on July 15, 1900, in Illinois.
I don't know when her parents left Illinois. Dorothy was in Missoula, Montana Co. High School, 1914-1918, graduating June 14, 1918. She lived at home: 624 River Street. She spent the summer of 1918 taking classes at the University of Montana., and then we find her enrolled in October 1918 at the University of Oregon. She lived at home with her parents and sister at 427 13th Ave. E. in Eugene, Oregon, and on June 19, 1922, Dorothy received her B.A. and B.M. degrees.
I've read where her parents had purchased the house in Eugene. It is likely the move to Montana was work-related for her father. Whatever the reason, Dorothy was a very ambitious young lady. She was offered employment at the Gresham Union High School located on the outskirts of Portland, where she taught music and physical education classes. About 1926 she moved to California and was hired by the Los Angeles High Schools, where she continued her teaching career until about 1948 when she retired. On July 3, 1946, she married Elmer BISBEE, a retired co-owner construction business, who was born in Madelia, Minnesota, about 1883, and died 1950, Los Angeles County, California, the same county where they were married.
While doing some Dickey research in 1978, I learned that Dorothy was living in Pasadena, CA. Upon inquiry, we learned that she was currently residing in Arlington, Virginia, while retaining her residence in Pasadena. Her friends in Pasadena told how Dorothy had enjoyed traveling about every two years to Scotland until it got to be too much effort. She had said "I want to be near the young people."
I called Dorothy once to wish her a happy birthday. I spoke of my Dickey research another time -- she appeared interested, but I sensed her health limitations. The last time I spoke with her was Dec. 22, 1978.
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