Grace Dorothy Tilka

Grace Dorothy Tilka
October 16, 1936 – March 30, 2025

Grace Dorothy Tilka, 88, of Tampa, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2025.  Grace is survived by her loving children, Charles, Robert and his wife Barbara, Elizabeth and her husband Doug, along with her cherished grandchildren, Max, Duncan, and Ian.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) Tilka, as well as her parents, Dorothy and Francis Fitzsimmons, and siblings, Joseph, Frank, and Mary.

Grace was born on October 16, 1936, in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, to Dorothy and Francis Fitzsimmons.  She was raised alongside her brothers, Joe and Frank, and her sister, Mary.  Grace graduated from Roman Catholic Little Flowers High School in Pennsylvania before moving to St. Petersburg, Florida, with her parents.

It was July, 1957 in St. Petersburg where Grace met her future husband, Bob, while working the front desk at a doctor’s office.  Bob was selling pots and pans as his side job in order to fund his future Chiropractic education.  He caught Grace’s attention and of course she bought an entire set.  They shared the love of life and even shared the same birthdays.  The pots and pans in July led to a whirlwind romance and they were engaged by October.  Two months later they married on December 28, 1957, at the Garden of Peace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg.

When Bob attended National Chiropractic College in Lombard, Illinois, Grace moved with him.  In their final year of school, they welcomed their first child, Charlie.  Upon Bob’s graduation, the family moved back to St. Petersburg, where Bob established his chiropractic practice.  Over the next several years, Grace and Bob welcomed two more children, Bobby and Betty.

As their practice began to grow, Grace became a vital part of the practice.  She managed the office with unparalleled organizational skills and a natural ability to connect with patients.  Grace was a major contributing factor to the growth of the business.  She was recognized as Florida Chiropractic Woman of the Year two years in a row. 

After visiting friends in North Carolina, Grace and Bob made the decision to relocate to the picturesque town of Brevard.  In 1978 they opened another successful chiropractic practice.  Nine years later, they moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina, where they continued their practice before eventually retiring.  Remarkably, the practices they founded continue to thrive to this day.

In her retirement, Grace and Bob moved to Hilton Head Island, where Grace took on a part-time role at the Hilton Head Chamber of Commerce as a retention specialist. Grace’s love for talking on the phone made her the perfect fit for this position, where she helped lead the Chamber to greater success.

After Bob’s passing in 2001, Grace decided to move back to St. Petersburg to be closer to her family.  She continued to live life to the fullest, always the life of the party and never shy to entertain with her tap dancing and singing.  She brought joy to a few family gatherings with a performance or two, and would surprise everyone with her hidden talent of playing the spoons.  Her devotion to God was unwavering, and her strong faith guided her throughout her life.

On April 17, 2025, at 10am at Bay Pines National Cemetery, Grace will be laid to rest alongside her beloved Bob. at Bay Pines National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd. St Petersburg 33708.  Family and friends are invited to arrive by 9:45 AM to be led to the committal shelter for a brief service.  A gathering will follow at the Cambria Hotel, Embers Rooftop Lounge, 15015 Maderia Beach Way, Maderia Beach Fl. 33708.

Grace’s infectious spirit, her boundless energy, and her love for her family  will never be forgotten. She leaves behind a legacy of love, joy, and faith.  Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.