MEMORIES
Irene
GALLERIES
From Her Sister, Irene
My Sister, Dorothy
I hardly know where to begin---I have done so much with Dorothy even when we lived so far apart. For a few years I was a second "mother" to her because my mother had George when Dorothy was three years old and I would play with her, take her out to play and give my mother time to take care of George. I made the mistake when we were much older of telling her that on three occasions during my care (I was eight years old), she fell and struck her headland was knocked unconscious! Luckily, my mother was there to revive her each time. She never let me forget it even though she was too young to even remember it! Last year for my 80th birthday she sent me a collectible "Snow baby" -it was two snowbabies on a sled and she wrote on the bottom, "Brings back memories of that day.
We had such a great childhood to look back on -sliding and skating in the winter, playing tag, jacks, under the sprinkler, dozens of kids to play with in the neighborhood, wonderful parents and great siblings.
We grew up and Dorothy was a bridesmaid at my wedding, and a few years later, I was a bridesmaid for her. We've lived apart ever since, but have always stayed close through letters, cards, phone calls and visits across the miles. I visited her in Indiana, Detroit, Long Island and Florida. We shared most everything in our lives (the ups and downs) with each other over the years. She was a remarkable lady--not afraid to tackle anything--I think I acquired my incentive to do things I didn't think I could ever do by following her lead. I am so proud of what she accomplished in her lifetime.
Dorothy, Marion and I took a cruise to Bermuda in 1986 and had a wonderful time together. Then Dorothy and I took a great trip to Salt Lake City, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, South Dakota, etc. We had such a wonderful time being together again.
I have felt so close to her all my life and am so happy I flew to Florida a few times to see her in her home when she retired. Thank God I was able to give her the seagull she had always wanted in her yard before it was too late. I am feeling such an emptiness that can never be filled now.
To close, not too long ago, Dorothy and I were listening to Whitney Houston sing, "One Moment in Time" and when she sang "when I'm more than I thought I could be", Dorothy said, "I think I was more than I thought I could be", and believe me she certainly was much more than she ever thought she could be. God I miss her so much.