Dorothea Mootafes
October 12, 2016

Dorothea Alice Mootafes, our beloved friend and teacher, left us to be with the Lord on October 12, 2016. She was 88 years old. Dorothea was born in St. Louis in 1928 to Irene and Phillip Mootafes, Greek immigrants from the Asia Minor island of Imbros.

An outstanding student, Dorothea began her secondary school years at St. Louis' Beaumont High School. In 1944, following the death of her father, she, her sister Angelica, and her mother moved to Seattle to be closer to relatives. Dorothea then attended Lincoln High School, where she was a member of the Senior Honor Society and graduated in June, 1946.

She enrolled at the University of Washington, majored in Journalism, was active in the journalism society, and joined Phrateres, an informal group of co-eds who commuted to campus. She received a BA with honors in 1949.

Recruited by the Washington State Game Department, Dorothea edited the weekly, "Game Bulletin", and prepared the annual reports. In 1953 she went to work for the Kelsonian-Tribune, Kelso's main newspaper, where she reported local events, and edited, "Talk of the Town", a section which included the women's page, and club and society news. When the paper folded in the summer or 1954, she returned to Seattle and to UW, earning a secondary education certificate.

Dorothea then began her life's work and real love-teaching language arts and journalism at West Seattle High School. Her students affectionately referred to her as, "Miss Moo". For over thirty years she was the advisor for the "Chinook", the award winning school newspaper. Many of her students considered her the best teacher they ever had and, because of her encouragement and belief in them, went on to prominent careers in journalism and communications.

In 1961 she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and spent a year in Iannina, Greece teaching English at a primary teachers college. She then returned to West Seattle High, enrolled once more at UW in the summer quarters, and in 1964 earned an MA in Education.

Dorothea's life very much revolved around her faith and her heritage. She was one of the most committed parishioners at her beloved St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church. Working behind the scenes -- never bringing attention to herself -- Dorothea served as unofficial church historian, pioneer and promoter of the Greek Festival, and an energetic co-worker with the church's priests. She wrote many articles about the church for the Seattle Times and the PI, and authored, with Theodora Argue and others, " A History of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and Her People", which chronicled the years from 1882 through 1999.

After her retirement from the Seattle Public Schools in 1989, she served as principal caregiver for her beloved mother, Irene.

Dorothea will be remembered by all who knew her, including her fellow residents at Ida Culver Ravenna, as a gentle, caring soul who reached out to others with love and compassion, and who considered everyone a friend. Author, and former student, Glen Boyd described her as having, "the wings of an angel". The late Father Homer Demopulos said," if you want to see a saint on earth look at Dorothea".

She was preceded in death by her beloved sister Angelica Jaffers. She leaves her brother-in-law, Colonel Harry Jaffers of Austin, Tx; nieces and nephews, Damon Jaffers, also of Austin; Theresa Jaffers and Alex Jaffers of Concord, CA; Rebecca Jaffers of Fairfax, VA; and Dr. Gregory Jaffers of Temple, Tx, as well as several great-nephews.

A viewing will take place on TUESDAY, October 18, 2016, at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home on Aurora Avenue beginning at 5 pm with a Trisagion Service at 7 pm. The Funeral service will be on Wednesday, October 19, 2016, at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church starting at 11:30am, with Father Photios Dumont presiding. Pallbearers will include Clifford Argue, Dr. Gregory A. Demopulos, Dr. Peter A. Demopulos, Bill Pallis, Nick Pallis, Jr, George Pappas, Phillip Sancken, and Angelo Xidias. A Makaria luncheon will follow in the Church Hall. Burial will then take place at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations may be made to the St. Demetrios Scholarship Fund.

Words of comfort may be expressed for Dorothea Mootafes's family by clicking on the Tributes tab just below their name.

Tributes