Dorcas Anne Gunovich

Dorcas Anne Trotter Gunovich 

July 19, 1927 - September 5, 2025 

 

Dorcas Anne (Trotter) Gunovich was born in Yelm, Washington on July 19, 1927, to parents Frank and Emily Trotter.   

 

The Trotter home was a loving and joyful home.  Dorcas often shared fond memories of growing up on the small family farm in Yelm with her parents, her older brothers Bill and Carroll and her older sister Joan.  When “daddy” passed away while Dorcas was still a young girl, it was the love and strength of her “momma” that kept the family moving forward.  That love, compassion and positive attitude that she learned from her mom would shape Dorcas into the gentle, kind and generous soul we all remember and will miss greatly.   

 

After graduating near the top of her class from Yelm High School, where she was Cheer Queen for two years, she moved to the big city of Tacoma and began working as a secretary and administrative assistant.  She also did some modeling with some of her girlfriends.  She soon married and turned her attention to building a family.  As a stay-at- home mom, she raised her two sons with the same love and compassion she learned from her mom.  She raised her boys to value learning and personal growth, to be honest and compassionate, to work hard, to laugh and embrace life, and to be true to themselves while serving others.  As her youngest son neared high school, Dorcas returned to the work force as the Administrative Assistant to the Pierce County Fire Marshall and Office Manager for the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau.  She enjoyed a long and successful career with Pierce County.   

 

Dorcas was also very involved with her church.  As a founding member of the Fircrest Presbyterian Church, she helped lead and grow the church from its first temporary location to the property and building that exists today.  She served in multiple leadership roles during her years with the church.  She was one of the “five moms” who, everyone knew, really ran the church and kept it thriving.  Every kid in the youth group knew if you had a problem, need or concern you could go to any of the moms for assistance and guidance and they would be there for you with unquestioning love and support.   

 

Dorcas was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Emily Trotter; her brothers William Trotter and Carrol Trotter; and her sister Joan Lewis Goettling.  She is survived by her two sons Dr. Richard Gunovich and David Gunovich (Jana); grandson Blair Gunovich (Emile); nephews Dr. Douglas Trotter (Kathy), Donald Trotter (Mary), Steven Trotter (Bonnie), and James Lewis; and nieces Connie Lewis Volz, Paula Dillon (Joe), Donna Soine (Scott) and Gail Clarke (Andrew).  The family wishes to thank the staff at River Rock Adult Family Home for their care and assistance, and Dee Roy for the friendship she provided in moms last years.  

 

Dorcas Anne was an amazing daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt, colleague, leader, and friend. With grace, dignity and compassion, she gave so much of herself to family, friends, career and church.  To paraphrase the great Peanuts philosopher Snoopy, to know her was to love her.  Indeed!   

 

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 7 at 3:30pm at the Fircrest Presbyterian Church.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Tacoma Humane Society, the American Cancer Society, or the Fircrest Presbyterian Church.