Dorothy Mae Neff

Dorothy was born November 17, 1916 in Englevale, North Dakota to William Ralph and Grace Humphrey. She is predeceased by her parents, brothers Fowler and Duane, sisters Viola and Barbara, husbands Harris Cavett and Joe Neff, sons Joey Neff, Gary Cavett, grandson Jeff Walton and son in law Dave Walton.

She is survived by brother Dean (Helen) of Fargo, N. Dakota, daughters Diane Walton of Parkland, Dolores Cavett of Arlington, Heidi Elliott (Bruce) of Kent, daughter in law Carol Cavett of Orting; nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Dorothy grew up on her family’s farm, established by her Scottish grandfather John Fowler Humphrey who came to the North Dakota Territory in 1882. She attended the rural grade school and graduated from Lisbon High School in 1934. She moved to the Seattle area to live with family and worked there, while here she met and married her first husband. Together they dairy farmed on different rented places around King County until finding the dairy in Auburn which they operated until he died in a tractor accident, leaving her the work of the dairy and raising three young children. In 1954, she married Joe Neff, a Swiss immigrant ten years her junior, who friends sent to be her hired man on the dairy. Joe and Dorothy had two more children and built a successful farming, trucking and cattle feeding operation, working with their daughter Heidi and son in law Bruce until their retirement in 1997. In 1999 they moved to George, Wash. to relax and be near Joe’s brother Louie and other friends.

Joe and Dorothy spent many happy, hard-working years managing Neff Farms together. Her remarkable strength helped them, and the rest of the family get through the difficult times, especially the untimely losses of sons Joey and Gary. The farm was always a hub of activity, and all who visited experienced Joe and Dorothy’s legendary hospitality, only leaving after a good drink, and full of homemade salami or pie.

Dorothy’s strength and ability to always live for the present and future carried her into her 90’s, when no illness or accident however serious, could keep her down for very long. She enjoyed semi-regular trips to the casino to play the slot machines, and until her final days, enjoyed her weekly card games, bingo, meals, and other activities with friends at Farrington Court in Kent.

A memorial service will be held at Price-Helton Funeral Home in Auburn on Friday, March 7, at 11:00am. Remembrances can be made to the Swiss Sportsmen’s Club of Tacoma (c/o Swiss Kids Kamp) or Providence Hospice.

Dorothy was a woman who was humble, never complained and always put the needs of others before her own. She was considered a mentor and inspiration to so many friends and family, she will be deeply missed.