Vashti T. Bottorff

Vashti T. Bottorff, just 35 days shy of her 93rd birthday, died of natural causes at 1:55 a.m. in the Catherine Kasper Life Center, Donaldson, on Wednesday, November 17, 2004. Vashti, a 24-year resident of Garden Courts East, was a lifetime area resident.
A Deaconess in the Blissville Church of the Brethren since 1935, her life revolved around her church and her faith in God.
Born in Brooklyn, Ind., on December 12, 1911, Vashti was the daughter of Daniel and Mabel Brittian Bristow. She told friends that her unusual name came from Queen Vashti in the Old Testament’s Book of Esther. She attended Gary schools.
On February 4, 1933, in Polk Township, she and Glen R. Bottorff, a school teacher at Teegarden, were married. Glen died on February 2, 1967.
In the 1940s, Vashti worked at Meck Industries for 7 years.
A homemaker and a farmer’s wife always helping with the chores, Vashti was known as the “Hat Lady” for her many donations of crocheted hats to the Neighborhood Center and the Cancer Society. Clever with her hands, embroidering and quilting with the Blissville Church ladies, she taught herself the art of crocheting 40 years ago. It was her favorite pastime and the yarn basket beside her favorite chair always held a work in progress.
She liked to read and loved flower gardening, tending a colorful plot outside of her door at Garden Courts.
Active in the life of the Garden Courts community, Vashti served for 14 years as chairman of the weekly coffee klatches and was head of the rummage sale to raise money for furniture for the recreation room. She also initiated the May breakfast and soup supper events.
Vashti is survived by two children and their spouses, all of Plymouth. They are her daughter Marlene H. and Donald Swank and Joseph D. And Sally Bottorff.
Five granddaughters and one grandson also survive.
They are: Glenda R. Swank, Statesville, N.C.; Donna K. & Bill Girten, Plymouth; Nancy Jo and David Chapeau, Granger, Ind.; Cheri Jo and Danny Sauer, Lakeville, Ind.; Terri Ann and Wayne Dixon, South Bend, Ind., and Barry G. and Sarah Bottorff, Plymouth.
Seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Vashti was preceded in death by her spouse and by three brothers: John, Daniel B., and Carl Bristow.
Friends may come to celebrate the long and faithful life of Vashti Bottorff from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2004, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 20, 2004, in the Blissville Church of the Brethren, 6250 Spruce Trail, Plymouth. The Revs. Paul McBride and Jimmy Baker, pastor of the church, will officiate.
Interment will be in Tyner Cemetery, Tyner, Ind.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Blissville and Plymouth Churches of the Brethren or the Logan Center, South Bend, Ind.