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Biographical/Historical:
Dorothy Catherine Morgan Tinker (1921-2020) was born and lived in New South Wales, Australia. In 1943, she joined the Women's Auxiliary Australian Air Force and spent time in Sydney and Melbourne. While in Sydney, Dorothy met and formed a lasting friendship with Charles Peek, an American naval officer. Unwilling to progress their relationship but wishing to keep in contact, Charles gave Dorothy his sister-in-law's name and address: Willena Peek in Pensacola, Florida.
Willena "Billie" Paulk Peek (1920-2007) was born in Madison County, Florida, but lived for most of her childhood in Tift County, Georgia. In 1941, she moved to Pensacola, Florida with her husband Claude Peek and their first child, Charles (b. 1941). Their second child, Joyce, was born in Pensacola in 1943. Claude Peek was the brother of Navy Lieutenant Commander Charles Peek, who met Dorothy Morgan Tinker while stationed in Sydney, Australia.
From 1943 until Billie's death in 2007, the two women remained pen pals and corresponded regularly about their daily lives. Peek and Tinker discussed their families, their hobbies, the weather, and various other aspects of their lives. They met for the first time at age 73 in 1994 in Pensacola, then for a second time two years later in Australia. Even after Billie's death in 2007, her daughter and granddaughter, in Virginia and Oklahoma, respectively, remained in touch with the Tinker family. Dorothy died in June 2020.
Summary:
This collection consists of letters and photographs that Willena "Billie" Peek sent to Dorothy Tinker during the course of their long-distance, long-lasting friendship. Billy describes her daily life in Pensacola and often included photographs of her family and their home. Most of the correspondence dating from 2004 to 2008 is from Billie's daughter Joyce. The collection also includes digital photos of Dorothy in Australia as well as photos of Billie and Dorothy together.
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Family Florida
Electronic records (digital records). aat Letters. aat Photographs. aat
Pensacola (Fla.)
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