09/10/2026
It is with heavy hearts we share this news.
Tracy Dippo was a remarkable human that did so much to benefit the people and the community she loved. So I am sure many things were missed (in the obituary that follows) that Tracy selflessly did in her life, like why she holds a special place forever in the market's heart. She designed the iconic Buchanan Farmers' Market logo... we officially dub this "Tracy's Logo" now. Gone but not forgotten... Thank you, Tracy for all the seen and unseen selfless acts of love you performed for those around you.
Follows Tracy's obituary...
A. "Tracy" Dippo
March 1, 1960 - Aug 23, 2026
Therese “Tracy” Anne Dippo was born on March 1, 1960, to James and Eileen (Hamill) Nestor in Providence, Rhode Island. The third of six children, she spent the majority of her childhood in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Tracy was a confident child–she knew early on what she liked and didn’t like. You could often find her at Forest Hills pool–racing on the swim team, performing on the synchronized swimming team, or lifeguarding with her friends. As a teenager, Tracy had the gift of gab and was very social. She was always either on the phone or going out and having fun. She was a diligent note taker and documenter, keeping track of all aspects of her life. She graduated from Regina High School, where she was voted prom queen (a fact she hid from many).
Tracy was naturally creative and became a driven artist. She continued her education at the Cleveland Institute of Art and spent a summer at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, before earning her Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame with a focus in ceramics and printmaking. Tracy’s artistic practice was iterative and exploratory, themes she carried with her for the rest of her life.
On June 25th, 1983, she married David “Dave” Dippo, whom she met while working at a print shop in Cleveland, Ohio. After a few years rehabbing a house on Diamond Lake together, Tracy and Dave had two children, Ian and Caitlin, two and a half years apart. They moved to Niles, Michigan and began their lifelong pursuit of transforming their home into the perfect habitat for their family. Amidst the never-ending construction, Tracy was still a generous host, entertaining friends and family for birthdays, Thanksgivings, Halloween parties, tie-dye sessions, and many Bunko nights.
Tracy was always eager to talk about her children, their activities, and progress; she took pride in the lives she had nurtured. She passed her sense of wonder, creativity, and civic responsibility onto her kids, who have both centered lives and careers around these values.
Tracy’s enthusiasm for creativity led her down many avenues. She became a pottery instructor at Southwestern Michigan College. In the late 1990s, she illustrated trail signs and newsletters for Fernwood Botanical Garden. She later served as an art teacher at Saint Mary’s Elementary School in Niles, when her children first attended the school. Tracy’s teaching philosophy was to instill the joy of making and encourage individuality in her students. She wanted students to take their imagination seriously. Many may remember her ambitious school-wide art projects, like having children of all ages collectively recreate classic works of art into murals.
In 2002, Tracy and Dave opened Redbud Hardware in Buchanan, Michigan, which they proudly operated together for 20 years before retiring in 2022. They wanted shopping at the store to be a unique and special experience with customer service at the forefront. Tracy’s eye for detail shaped the store that customers experienced–from the Michigan-made goods they stocked, to the elaborately themed window displays she diligently crafted.
Tracy was the definition of a doer. She used her creative problem-solving abilities to get things done. If anyone needed help, she would be there with energy, a smile, and a treat to share. Tracy generously served her community through countless volunteer positions with organizations including the Downtown Development Authority, the Buchanan Preservation Society, Junior Achievement, and Live Buchanan. She created Buchanan’s McCoy Creek Trail mural and recently aided in the 2026 iteration of the Art on Days mural project. With her hands in so many committees and projects, her office was a vast sea of art supplies, paperwork, and ephemera. Still though, she had an impossibly precise mental map of where everything was located.
Tracy did not sit still in retirement–she returned to her roots. She was able to gain Irish citizenship, she tirelessly knit sweaters while she watched TV or as roadtrip passenger, she finally finished 20-year-old home projects, and she returned to Fernwood Botanical Garden to become Chair of the Board. Tracy loved being active and outdoors, whether it was cross-country skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, or camping. She found great joy in spending time surrounded by nature, specifically in native forests. She probably took 100,000 photos of plants, rocks, bugs, flowers, clouds, and paving patterns that she was drawn to. Her rigorous explorations also continued elsewhere–she researched baking recipes, crafted community art projects, and searched for the best possible outdoor dining setup.
At age 66, after an unexpected and short cancer diagnosis, Tracy passed away on Sunday, August 23, 2026, surrounded by her family.
Tracy was many things: an artist, a homemaker, an appreciator, an organizer, and a leader. Her friends and family will remember her as an exceptional companion. She will be dearly missed.
A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on October 3rd from 1-4pm at Fernwood Botanical Garden, 13988 Range Line Rd., Niles, Michigan. A toast in her honor will take place at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Tracy’s name may be made to Fernwood Botanical Garden. Arrangements have been entrusted to Swem Chapel, Buchanan, Michigan. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www .swemchapel. com.
Tracy is survived by her husband, David Dippo; son, Ian Dippo; daughter, Caitlin (Justin Sengly) Dippo and siblings; Michael Nestor (Dianne “Fireweed” Radmore), Brian Nestor (Kirsten Phillips), Angela Nestor (Gregory DeMatteo), and Cristin Lonsway. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Eileen Nestor and brother, Barry Nestor.
