Althea "Tibby" Pettee
Palm Bay, Florida

President of the Down Syndrome Association of Melbourne, Florida
Registered Nurse
Proud wife & mother

Althea (nee Tibbetts) Pettee was born in Everett, Massachusetts on September 23, 1916. Althea was an active young lady with ambitious goals. Lovingly known as "Tibby" she graduated from Everett High School in June of 1934 and enrolled the following September in the nursing program at Whidden Memorial Hospital. After completing her coursework and training, she stayed on at Whidden and worked there for four more years. After that she became a private duty nurse.

Tibby and her husband George married in 1937 and later moved to Florida where they raised their three daughters (Janice, Donna, and Irma) and their son Steve, who was born with Down syndrome. Tibby was very involved in raising her children, and committed especially to Steve. She taught them how to face life "head on." Tibby was an avid reader and visited the library weekly. She loved to sew, and actually made a lot of her girls' clothing when they were in school. She enjoyed dancing, music, and especially "Happy Hour."

Tibby loved life and going to Captain Hiram's every month, and was an all-around friend to many. Tibby stated that her greatest personal achievement was raising her son Steve to be a fine young man who embraced life, loved baseball, and (like his mom) was friendly to everyone he met. Tibby shared that she "had a great marriage and a great life together with her husband George." Tibby continued to be a bright spot in the lives of so many at Anchor Care. She was always looking after, helping and encouraging those around her. She was always on the go - heading to therapy, out to Captain Hiram's with Susan, or outside to read her book on the patio. She made everyone smile and was always ready to share a laugh or a hug. Everyone who knew Tibby was honored and blessed to have her in their lives.