Dorothy Mae (Pence) Napier was born to Adeline and Carl Pence on July 4, 1928 in St. Paul, Minnesota. During her childhood, she attended elementary school at Jefferson and high school at Monroe in St. Paul. Dorothy loved the arts. She attended the Minneapolis Institute of Arts in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she studied advertising art. While in school, she met the love of her life! She met Bobbie Alexander Napier at a picnic in the summer of 1947 and the two were engaged in December of that same year. They married on May 25, 1949 at the Cathedral of St. Paul and started their married life in Circle Pines, Minnesota where they met some of their best and most treasured friends. They moved to Charlton Street in West St. Paul, Minnesota in 1960 where they continued to raise their nine children.
Bobbie became ill in 1965 and Dorothy went to work full time as a bank teller at First National Bank. While working at the bank she realized that she would only have the opportunity to be a teller, so she went back to school. While back in school she realized that advertising had drastically changed from hand sketches to photography, so she took dressmaking classes instead, using the sewing skills that she learned from her own mother. In the summer of 1975 Dorothy and Bobbie’s love story appeared to over when Bobbie passed away.
Dorothy then quit working at the bank and started working at “One of a Kind Dress Maker’s” on Grand Avenue before opening Napier Bridal Couture in St. Paul. Dorothy was an extremely talented dressmaker and artist. In 1988 her daughters added retail to the business. The shop sold in 2005, but Dorothy still helped with alterations. She beautifully pleated a baptism gown the week before she passed away.
As a result of her loving, caring and inviting personality, all who knew Dorothy admired her. If you were at her home, whether it was the house on Charlton or her apartments, you felt you were part of the family. This welcoming personality was also reflected in her well known ability to tell a story. Whether she was at home or at one of the many Napier family gatherings, people were drawn to Dorothy, listening intently to her stories, told with colorful details, wit, and always a touch of sage advice.
Dorothy was an incredible mother and role model, she demonstrated what a truly strong woman could do. She was a woman of strong faith and she was a true disciple of God. She did her religious studies at the Cathedral of St. Paul and put her children through parochial school through elementary school.
Dorothy moved to Cahill Commons Senior Living Apartments in 2001 where she made many friends. She lived there until December of 2016 when she moved to the Sanctuary in West St. Paul. While at The Sanctuary she was surrounded by some amazing staff, especially Cindy! She spoke so highly of them and felt that they treated her like family. With the help of Fairview hospice, she was well taken care of until her peaceful passing on February 24, 2020. Her family spent much time with Dorothy until her passing. She was able to spend a wonderful weekend with all her children at the cabin this past November. She always said her greatest joy in life was her family.
She is now in the loving arms of her husband (Bobbie Alexander). She is also preceded in death by brothers (Charles and Robert Pence) and parents (Adeline and Carl Pence).
Survived by her adoring children: Mary (Larry) Libhardt, Greg (Roxanne) Napier, Judy (Rob) Ciaciura, Sandi (Tim Okan) Napier, Bruce (Barb) Napier, Steve Napier, David (Suz) Napier, Sharon (Tom) Pothen, and Janet (Bob) Kuziej. Bobbie and Dorothy’s love story continues through their twenty-three grandchildren, twenty-seven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren and counting!
Mass of Christian Burial 10 am Friday, February 28th at The Church of St. Patrick, 3535 East 72nd St. East, Inver Grove Heights. Visitation 4-8 pm Thursday, February 27th at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave. E. IGH. Visitation also Friday morning at the church one hour prior to the Mass.