Dorothea (Duke) Tillman of Ridge Manor, Florida (born in Columbus, Ohio) went to her heavenly home July 25, leaving behind her son, Donn Tillman, and daughter, Nancy Blatnik, a son-in-law, Michael Blatnik, and 4 grandchildren, David, Erika (and husband Chris), Michael, and Steven. Dorothea was preceded in death by her husband, Budd Tillman and her brother, Dushan Zobenica. Surviving siblings are Zorina Minix, Dessie Smith, John Zobenica, and Violet Zobenica. Duke and her beloved husband Budd met on a blind date on December 7, 1941, on Pearl Harbor Day (two days after her 17th birthday). Budd later said that "the world changed the day I met your mother," and we are guessing that he meant that in more ways than one. Dorothea and Budd fell madly in love on that blind date and were married April 9, 1944, during a leave time, in Columbus Ohio by an army chaplain from Fort Hayes. The two eventually lived in a boarding house close to Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey, where Budd was stationed until he was deployed to the Western Front. After Budds military service as a medic under General Patton, he and Duke moved back to Columbus, Ohio where they were surrounded by family and, along with her brother Dushan, opened a popular hamburger restaurant in the state Court House district, appropriately named "The Duke." In the late '40s, after experiencing the sunny Florida beaches when visiting friends in the midst of an icy Ohio winter, they excitedly made plans to move to the Sunshine State. Six months later, they began building a home in Tampa while temporarily living with their Winter Haven friends, the Listons. It was in that first Florida home on Hubert Avenue that they started their family and happily lived for 10 years before building a larger home on Twin Lakes Blvd in the middle of an orange grove. As time moved on, so did the kids--Donn joined the US Navy and served on the USS Albany, Nancy moved away and married Michael and raised their four children in various states, finally settling in Bedford, Virginia. Budd and Dorothea were wonderful grandparents to their grandchildren, always excited to receive them into their homes and to travel to their various homes across the country, including Colorado, California, Montana, and Virginia. Dorothea and Budd built and lived in other homes throughout their life together, including Lake Lure, NC and East Flat Rock, NC, and Summerfield, FL, before settling into their final earthly home in Ridge Manor, FL on Mockingbird Drive. Wherever they lived they quickly gained friends and entertained them at their homes on a regular basis. They reached out to others consistently, and Dorothea especially loved greeting new neighbors and welcoming them with home-cooked foods. Budd and Dorothea loved Ridge Manor, "the good neighbor community where the streets move over for the trees," and made many close friends there. Dorothea volunteered at the community lunch for several years (where she became famous for her 4-bean salad) and helped to deliver the Ridge Manor news. They both loved life and people and made a great pair with their quick smiles, wit, and warmth and care for others. Dorothea lost her beloved husband Budd in 2011 after 66 wonderful years of marriage. Fortunately, Donn had remained in Florida and was able to care for her until she had to be moved into an assisted living facility. After spending her final months in assisted living facilities, where she was well loved and cared for, Dorothea passed away peacefully in her sleep under hospice care. Her smiles, teases, and winsome ways will be greatly missed and cherished always by family, friends, and caretakers. We will see you again some day Mom, Grandma, Friend! We love you. We are planning a short memorial service at the Florida National Cemetery, where Dorothea will join her beloved husband who served in WWII. There will also be a longer memorial service at Rose Castle ALF in Zephyrhills, Florida. Both will take place in October, date TBD.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gulfside Hospice at 37826 Sky Ridge Circle, Dade City, FL 33525.