Eulogy for C. Dolores “Dee” Lapp
October 6, 2023
by Rev. John Partridge
I met Dee a little more than five years ago when my family and I were appointed to serve at Christ Church. Since that time, Dee has always been one of those folks that was, whenever possible, a “willing worker” who enthusiastically did whatever she was asked to do. Of course, we saw one another on Sundays, but I began to know her better a few years back when I visited her at the hospital after she tripped over a tree root in the back yard while taking her dog out to go to the bathroom.
In the hospital then, and every time I have seen her, whether at church, or at Copeland, or during other visits to the hospital, Dee was always untiringly optimistic. Never once did she ever doubt that she would recover, return home, and return to church. For some time, Dee was at Crandall Medical Center just down the hall from my mother, and so, whenever I came to visit one, I visited both. But sometimes my mom was harder to find. Dee was almost always in her room, but my mom would sometimes be in the dining room, or someplace else. And so, in the end, I probably visited Dee a few more times than I visited Mom, and each time it was as if I had walked into a little piece of home. Even though I was visiting her in a nursing home, she just had a way of making me feel as if I was family, and that I was home. As I read the stories that I will share with you today, written by people who knew Dee for far longer than I did, I heard the same sentiment, and could feel the same feelings that Dee had shared with me. The compassion and love that I felt, was just who Dee was, and no matter how long you knew her, that never changed.
From Donna Smeltz:
I can’t say anything that’s different from what we’ve all been thinking. Dee was a great person who had people who loved her in every generation. Young, old, or somewhere in between, we were there, wishing the best, praying for her, and loving her as she endured so much. Dee lived through the deaths of her daughter, husband, and son, but continued to live her life to its fullest. I think that is a testimony to her and her love of life, and love for those around her. Dee, we’re so sorry to see you leave this physical life, but know/ or hope we were good enough to meet you in eternity, We love you, and hope you have enjoyed your reunion with Unk, your kids, your family, and all those who have gone before you who you loved and missed.
I can’t remember any particular memory, but what has always warmed my heart was your love for Unk. You became the most important person in his life and filling a void that I feel was there for a long time. I thank you for that. He and you both deserved to know true love.
I was pregnant with Matt when you and Unk got married. It was a small wedding; I think only you and Unk and the witnesses were present. You stopped at Mom and Dad’s before your ceremony, and Zack and I were there. I was so happy for you both, I found out what restaurant you were going to celebrate your nuptials, and I got ahold of them and paid for your meal. Since we couldn’t be there, I hoped that you knew that Unk’s family welcomed you into ours with open arms. We’ll always miss you, and hope to be together again in eternity.
Thank you for being you, and for accepting all of us when you married Unk.
We love you,
Donna and family
From Melissa Graham:
Aunt Dee was so giving to me. When Noah and Bella were young, Aunt Dee would pick up Meme at her house, nearly every Tuesday, and the two of them would come to my house. They would prepare lunch and help me catch up on laundry. They entertained the kids, and Aunt Dee loved to rock Bella. She gave of her time and gave me her support. I will miss her smiling face at our family functions.
From Robert Graham:
Dee and Elda (Lapp) Tate were school friends and Dee remained in the Alliance area through her adult life, so as Debby, born in 1951, grew up, Dee was in and out of the (Tate) family experience and Debby was good friends with Dee’s daughter, Sharon. Mom Tate and Dee were in a card club that lasted for decades. Debby married Bob Graham in 1970 and they birthed their family from 1976 to 1980. Their eldest, Jessie, was 10 years old in 1986 and served as the guest book attendant for Dee’s marriage to Richard, “Unk”, Lapp on October 24th. From that time on, Dick and Dee were part of many of the family gatherings held at the Tate, Graham, and Sahli residences.
Dick had always been a generous Uncle and Dee showed herself in just the same way. Dee was creative and knowing that we enjoyed our boating on Lake Erie, she made us some beautiful pieces of counted cross stitch of Sandusky Bay and the islands area of the lake.
As our children grew into middle school athletics, the Lapps joined the family support of our runners and found themselves at the track or course frequently. When we became Mount Union Raider football fans, Dick and Dee joined us for Saturday afternoon games along with Elda and John, plus several trips out of state to follow the team on their way to national championships.
Because of her association around them, our kids knew Aunt Dee and her care for them. In 2004 our daughter had a special need for childcare, and Dee stepped up to be one to lend a significant hand. So, it was through 2017 when her husband, Dick, passed into eternity. It would have been easy for Dee to part ways with the growing Graham family, but instead even as her own health issues began to present themselves, she allowed, even welcomed our family’s involvement in her life as a single senior. She did not shy away from invitations that were offered, to join in the exuberance of family gatherings of any size. Dee added generational depth to our celebrations that went beyond grandparents and great grandparents. Our kids and theirs have been exposed to what it means to be family, sharing in both the ups and downs that come with life.
Dee had to live through the bumps and difficulties that a long life inevitably presents. We are glad that as sporadic as it might have seemed, we were there as encouragement for her as throughout our lives, she was there for us. God be with your soul, Aunt Dee.
Memories from nieces Debbie, Sandy, and Cheryl:
Visiting Aunt Dee was always something we looked forward to when we were kids. The anticipation of getting our hair cut and styled at Aunt Dee’s salon was the highlight of our trip. She always made us feel special. We have carried those memories with us all these years
From Britt:
Gram also cut my hair from the time I was a baby until I was a preteen. Every month since I could remember I would spend a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa. We would spend the days bird watching, playing Mexican Train, and watching the Lawrence Welk Show.
Once, I tripped over a box of records in the basement and found an old record player. I asked Grandpa if we could set it up, and of course he obliged. That weekend became one of my favorite memories of them. I spent the day playing through old records of people I wasn’t familiar with and watching them dance through the house. No one made my Gram happier than Grandpa Dick. Years later I found out he had contacted someone to have the old record player refurbished as a gift for me. He and Gram planned a trip to see the tulips in Holland, Michigan and meet with the gentleman who would repair it.
Everything was about making and sharing memories together and they passed that on to so many of their loved ones. These acts of pure love and genuine kindness are why she was loved and deeply cherished by many and also why I am who I am today.
From Rev. Chris Martin:
Letting Her Light Shine – In Memory of Dee Lapp
In the Emmaus Community we often sing a song that has the following words: “Let your light… shine before… others so…they may know our God of love is in the land and let your light… shine before… others so… they may know, the Kingdom of God is at hand.”
The song is based on the fifth chapter of Matthew’s gospel, verse 16, where Jesus says: “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.”
While many things can and will be said about the life, character, and daily disposition of the extraordinary woman we memorialize here today, the sum and substance of all that is said will reveal that throughout the whole of her life Dee “let her light shine, illuminating her own good works and the good works of others, that the heavenly Father might be glorified.”
Membership and participation in Christ United Methodist Church were always Dee’s most treasured possessions. It was where she drew strength to go out into the world to spread the brilliant light and love of Jesus Christ. Nothing kept Dee from spreading that light! Nothing! Those of us privileged to know and love her did so because Dee showered each of us with a love that knew no ending. Heaven’s light shines more luminously because of its newest angel, Dee Lapp. “To God be the glory for the things he has done!”
The Reverend L. Chris Martin
Minister of Visitation
Christ United Methodist Church
Alliance, Ohio
Obituary for C. Dolores “Dee” Lapp
C. Dolores Lapp
September 21, 1930 — October 1, 2023
C. Dolores “Dee” Lapp, age 93, passed away on October 1, 2023.
She was born on September 21, 1930, in Wheeling, WV, to Clarence and Louella (Hawkins) Greek.
Dee graduated from Alliance High School in 1949. She was a beautician and beauty school instructor. Dee operated her own shop in Alliance for several years.
She was a lifetime member of Christ United Methodist Church where she was recently honored as a co-founder of “Threads of Love”, a community outreach program. Dee was a talented artist who also enjoyed knitting and Mount Union Football. She was an active community member at Copeland Oaks.
Those left to cherish her memory are her great-granddaughter, Brittany Powers; grandson, Derek Gates; granddaughter, Alexandra Shott; sisters, Sally (Jim) King, Nancy (Walt) McCormick and Joyce Davis; brother, Robert (Marilyn) Greek; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard C. Lapp; beloved aunt and uncle, Raymond and Dorothy Hawkins; two children, Sharon Lewis Shott and Gary Lewis; brothers, Kenneth and Wilmer; and a sister, Patricia.
Visitation will be held at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home on Thursday, October 5th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, October 6th at 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, 470 E. Broadway, Alliance, Ohio 44601.
Pastor Partridge 