Dorothy Tinkham

Dorothy was born in Geary, Oklahoma to Edgar and Effie Lehman. She had one older sister Frances who preceded her in death. The two were lifelong best friends, supporting each other through school, college, marriage and death. They were often seen together, but when apart, people would recognize each one as the sister of the other—such was their bond. They would often spend evenings at each other’s home, with their husbands, and later with only each other.

Dorothy attended the University of Oklahoma. She fondly recalled riding the train from Norman to Geary for weekend visits home. She was quite the adventurer as she moved alone to New York City to complete her master’s degree in Nutrition at Columbia University. She was a Registered Dietitian and an active member of the American Dietetic Association.

Her sister, Frances, introduced her to her husband Bill who was a good friend of Frances’ husband. After they married, the two couples forged a great friendship as well as being family.

Dorothy and Bill remained in Oklahoma, living in Norman, with only a short move to Enid, and then returned to Norman where she resided until her death. Dorothy’s strength was clearly evident when Bill passed away in 1968, leaving her with three teenage boys to raise during those years.

Most of her working career was spent at the Cerebral Palsy Center (currently the J.D. McCarty Center) as the Dietician. She worked long hours and took great pride in her work. Her youngest son, Mike, started as a dishwasher in her kitchen after high school and eventually transferred to the nursing department where he worked as an aide. His working experience at the center inspired him to become a nurse.

Dorothy married her good friend Maynard Tinkham after all the boys were raised and on their own, and they enjoyed their friendship and love for many years, until his death in 1997.

Dorothy was an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the Military Wives group.

Dorothy’s greatest achievement was being a mother to her sons who grew to be kind, loving, and productive citizens. Her three sons survive her, William Murray and wife, Kristen of San Mateo, California; Jay Murray and wife, Mary Lynne of Walnut Creek, California; and Mike Murray and wife, Shelba of Norman. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Jacey, Mike, Miranda, Haley, Jackie and Marquis; and a nephew and a niece, Richard and Barbara Hart.

She is preceded in death by her parents Edgar and Effie Lehman, her first husband William Murray, her second husband Maynard Tinkham, and her sister Frances Hart.

Dorothy will always be remembered for her love and dedication to her family, her wealth of friends, and kindness to all she came in contact with.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Saint Charles Borromeo Chapel at Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at 10:30 AM.

Donations may be made to the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church or Leader Dogs for the Blind.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Primrose Funeral Service. Visit www.primrosefuneralservice.com for messages and condolences.