MEMORIES
Family/Friends
GALLERIES
Memories
We asked the people from our past, people that knew her, to write down some bit of memory they might have about her or her family and send it to us. We will be reading these stories when we take her ashes off-shore Jacksonville to place them in the sea in accordance with her wishes. If you have anything you'd like to contribtute to this page and/or to her final cermony, please send it to me at docdata757 @ mustangone.com
From the Officers and members of The Marine Corps League,
Department of Florida...
Semper Fidelis!!!
This is the first sent to me from Chris (Likas) Golembiewski
Hi There: Thanks for sending up a copy of your Mom's obit. Joanne sent it over to me on Friday. What a great life she led! Her absence, and silence, will leave a huge void for all who knew and loved her.
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to come and visit (almost 2 years ago now). It was so much fun to hang with her - and keep up with her!! If I have even half of her spunk and energy when I'm 75 I'll feel very blessed.
Robin asked for stories to share about your Mom.
So many warm "Kodak moments" of my childhood came out
of the cobwebs of my memory bank - all the way back to when you
lived on Stahlin and we were on Westwood; and later while you lived
on Long Island. I always had such fun playing with you and Rick
when we were kids.
- Chutes and Ladders - we didn't have that
game which made it so much fun when we came to your house
-
Bronzed baby shoes on the bureau in your room. I always thought
those were so neat
- Sparklers in your backyard after a holiday
picnic
- Hudson's fireworks
I remember coming back to your house after a family outing - maybe the fireworks - and your Mom talking to my folks through my Dad's window of our car. "Do you want to come in for a night cap?" she asked. What a funny thing to ask. That was the night I learned that a "night cap" had another meaning other than something put on the head before going to bed.
Then you all moved to New York - Long Island to be exact. That turned out to be fun, cause we came to visit on vacations. My Dad was a workaholic - so vacations were VERY special when they happened. The first time we came to visit, was Easter, (1963 or 1964?). Mom loaded us up in our station wagon, and we also brought Mrs. Kocik and Joey. I think we did the trip in one day - it must have taken about 15 hours to get there, but well worth the trip. I remember candy, but really remember Silly Putty. I'm pretty sure we hadn't had that before, which makes it one of my big "Kodak moments". You could press it on the Sunday funnies, and the picture would imprint itself on the putty. When you stretch the Silly Putty with the picture on it - how many great shapes would appear!
We came again when the World's Fair was in New York. Was that in 1966? That was a lot of fun too!! What a huge exhibit!! So much imagination. For some reason, that trip isn't quite as clear as the earlier Easter trip was. I think you were in a different home. I remember the dining room was kind of down the hall from the kitchen. I remember thinking that was unusual - but your home was so neat - so big!
Our next trip to visit would be our last as kids.That one was kind of a "kick back" vacation - I don't remember doing a lot of traveling - but I remember going bowling, and making potato salad for dinner. Those are kind of off the wall memories. I also remember behaving very badly - teasing you and then leaving. I behaved so terribly at the end!! Hopefully you don't remember, but if you do - I'm so sorry for the way I treated you.
All of a sudden - we were all "grown up". After spending some time in college, you enlisted in the Navy - when your Mom and Dad thought you were returning to school. I thought that was great, and always wished that I could stand up for what I believed in, even if it might not be approved of by may parents. What a wonderful career you must have had!! And just think, if you hadn't been stationed in Chicago, you never would have met Carol. How lucky for both of you!!.
I think the most fun I ever had at a wedding (as a guest) was when you and Carol got married. That weekend was so much fun!! It was like old home week at the motel we stayed at. I can still see Carol sitting at the foot of your Mom's bed with her veil on, looking at herself in the mirror - with a little bit of disbelief that it was her reflection looking back.
The church was beautiful - and so was the ceremony. And the reception - what a blast!! Great memories.
Dearest Dorothy,
Like so many of us I wish I
could have said goodbye. I wish I could have told you how much I
loved you. We first met when I hired you to work in the information
booth at the mall. You jumped right in and quickly became one of
the hardest workers and one of the few I could always rely on. You
once thanked me for hiring an old woman like you. But I never saw
you as old. I only saw you as a dear friend, always ready to give
a helping hand and always caring more about the other person than
about yourself. You always gave yourself away to your family and
your friends without ever asking or expecting anything in return.
All of us who benefitted from that giving spirit will be eternally
grateful to have known you. Our loss is heaven's gain-the Lord is
in for a real treat! Thank you for calling me friend, thank you
for sharing some of your life with me, thank you for just being
Dorothy. Goodby friend-I will miss you!
signed Christie Pafford
March 10, 1999
Dear David, Rick, and Robin,
My memories of your mom are all from when I was a child. They may be a little cloudy, but this is how I remember my "Aunt Dot":
She always had a smile and something to say. I can still see her face when she walked in the back door of our house on Westwood in Detroit. I was only about 6-7 and I was washing the dishes. At the time she came in I was washing a butcher knife. I thought she was going to have a fit! She came up and took the knife and yelled gently to Mom something about me being to young to be handling these type of utensils. I personally didn't see a problem with it, but hey, if it got me out of doing the dishes, I was all for it!
I remember catching fireflies in her backyard. We didn't have them by us, but every summer they would be in her backyard and I looked forward to visiting just to catch a few of those flying lights. And doing sparklers!! Aunt Dot protected me from the butcher knife, but had no qualms about me with sparklers. Who could ask for anything more?
Then the news came about the Seays moving to New York. My mom was so sad. I guess I didn't realize how far away N.Y. was until we went for a visit. Holy moly, it took forever to get there, but when we made it, it was worth every minute. When I first heard Aunt Dot's and Robin's accent, I was amazed!! How fast they could talk, and it sounded like them, but different. From then on every time she called, or Mom called her, I wanted to hear her voice. It would make me laugh, and even though I had a hard time understanding what she said, it still amazed me at how fast she talked. We were there for Easter, and the first time for Silly Putty. Mom would not allow stuff like that in our house. I know Aunt Dot thought that amusing. "Oh Phyllis...." I can't remember how long I kept the little egg, but it sure saw its' share of comics.
Aunt Dot never forgot me at Christmas, either. I always felt so special getting a package from her, and no one else got one, just me. She must have taken her godparenting serious. I always got a birthday card, I always felt special around her.
Years went by, we grew up, lives went in separate ways, but she was and always will be my Godmother, my mom's good friend, and fun little memories of long ago.
Thank you Aunt Dorothy...
Love,
Joanne
Definition: a wonderful legacy......Dorothy Seay
Robin, you called me last night. We talked for a while, sad things, funny things, things that made me remember. I've been taking my time and searching, reminiscing back about thirty years ago, when I first began to know the name "Seay".
As all friendships start, Robin and I knew the same people. This little group included some older and some younger. We would "Hangout" at each other home. Mine less frequently, just because. It seemed we ended up at the Seay's or the Crabb's (I always thought I had such Nautical friends) I got to know Rich at this point, also the Crabb sisters, and a few others who joined our little group. I thought we were close, we knew each other pretty well, we did a lot together and this extended to parents, especially Dorothy Seay.
Dorothy Seay was different then most parents. We all liked her. She would talk to us, I mean really talk to us. Not many did. God!,She made me laugh. I remember her best, smiling, and looking over her glasses and giving me that look, only she could. I spent many hours listening to her stories, Just "the wat it is!" stories. I wonder if she had any clue how much I remember what she told me. Funny, I knew there was trouble coming from her, when she didn't talk...
I laugh every time I remember this, It was a Saturday Morning. I had just come over to see Robin. Your Mom had let her favorite bird out of the cage. She was showing me how she had taught it to talk. It was sitting on her finger as she started to speak a kind of baby talk. The bird was silent but slowly turned it head and clearly repeated what it was taught......"SHIT".....Your Mom, mood swing went clear out of sight, as she cursed whatever son taught her bird these words. I believe I was on my knees when Robin came down the stairs.
There were times, she and I talked. However brief, she always got her point across, she never held back, told me exactly how she felt. I know why she did this, She cared and wanted me to do the right thing. Sometimes I listened, sometimes I didn't, and when things went wrong, that's when her words forever rang in my ears.
I was present many times, and heard the many stories, how when any of her family were opposed, in which was contrary to her belief of right and wrong, she fought like hell... As the years have gone by, I think, I know, she has passed this wonderful trait to all her children.
When I was with Robin and her Mom would join us, I always felt comfortable. Through the years I've kept in touch with my extended family. When Robin would come to visit her Mom in N.Y., they never hesitated to call. That's when I would catch up through pictures and stories her Mom would tell. David, the Navy and the kids. Robin, the many moves, Jimmy's health and how cute the girls were, and best of all, seeing all the different hats Rich wore.
She strongly believed family helps each other, "cause you can't count on many others". She went well beyond this by showing she was family to most everyone. Ther wasn't many she didn't help. The time she spent through the years with the strngers at the places she volunteered and with family was always unlimited.
It seems such a short time ago your Mom was excited in showing me the wonderful place she bought in Florida. When she moved there, I finally realized, as in slow motion through the years, each child knew the importance of staying close to their loving Mom and returned.
signed Vicki Haight M.
A poem sent to us by Dawn...
He Only Takes the Best
God saw she was getting tired
and a cure was not to be.
So He put His hands around her
and whispered, "Come with
me."
With tear-filled eyes we watched her
suffer and fade away.
Although we loved her deeply,
we could not make her stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard-working hands put to
rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes
the best.
Author Unknown
Dear Dave, Rick and Robin,
Golly, I feel like knew Dorothy forever. I first met her just adter Rick was born. We were members of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church. At that time, it was an old quanset hut that was used in the Army. Your mom and dad were new to the area and it was freindship right on the spot. The church moved to a new location - a new church building and re-named it St. Martha's, by Henry Ford's grave.
We had a lot of fun in St. Martha's. We belongs to a "young" married group, with dances, card parties and close friendships.
My brother Paul had a masquerade party and your folks came in as doctor and nurse. I think deep down Dorothy wanted to be a nurse, that's why she worked so hard in the emergency room in Jacksonville.
In 1960 Phyllis Kocik and Joe Jr., my girls and I went to see you in N.Y. I missed the Holland Tunnel and went over the Washington Bridge. Naturally, I was lost. When we asked directions they talked so fast I didn't understand a word they said.
Oh, I'm ahead of myself. At St. Martha's Mother and Daughter dinner, your mother won the prize with the youngest daughter - Robin as 3 days younger than Joanne and she got a silver dollar for her prize. I wonder if she still has it.
One year when I was visiting Dorothy in FL I was lucky enough to see Rick. Remeber - we were sitting at the table telling lottle off-color stories and you said "I can't believe I'm sitting here telling these stories to my Mom & Godmother!" - what a laugh we had.
I was planning on coming to FL but your mom kept saying wait till it gets warmer.
I'll keep you in my prayers. Please keep in touch.
Love to you all,
Aunt Phyllis
Dear Robin,
I'm both shocked and saddened to
hear of your Mom's death. I worked with her at the Avenues, and
even though it's been a year since I left, we've stayed in touch.
She meant a great deal to me. Her loss will create an empty place
in my life and my heart.
I'll always remember her boundless energy as an inspiration to seize all you can from life. She was funny, caring, and very loyal to those she loved.
I will truly miss her. Please know that my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Jackie Neiglucci
Dear Robin,
Your note, while hard for you to write, was harder still for me to read.
I've known your mother since, I first started to work for South Oaks in 1954. In all those years, we had a grand relationship.
The expression, "A True Friend" can be well applied to your mother!
I just re-read her Christmas note, where she mentioned going to the Mayo Clinic, for a back ache problem, which was troubling her.
It's a blessing, that she did not suffer, and as I wrote, in the letter, the circle of Friends keeps getting smaller! Marilyn must have been shocked to hear the news, as she is not good shape, herself.
There is no "one" incident, which stands out in my mind, concerning your Mother. She was always a joy to see and talk to, and I used to look forward to going out to do lunch with her, and she always made me include several of the office girls, so that there would be no gossip later on.
We use to talk about the Marine Corps, and her duties in the Massapequa Post, that she belong to. She often tried to "Enlist" me, but I was never much of a joiner.
It all seems, so long ago, and today that's almost of us have, our memories.
The memories, she left to me, I'll always cherish, because she asked "so little," but gave "so much!
If there is some charity or organization, to which I can send a donation, in her memory, please let me know.
I'm closing, let me extend my deepest sympathies, to you and your family, on your loss!
You lost a Mother, and I lost a true Friend!
With Love and sympathy,
Jack
Dearest Robin,
My deepest condolences on the loss of your Mom. I so wanted to be able to send you something from my heart that could be read from the boat, but I just couldn't seem to find words.
Your Mom was very much a Mom to me for a long time: getting excited with me when good things happened...and balling me out when I did something stupid - But she was always there and always supportive and full of love. This is how I will always remember her.
I wish I could be there to give you a hug and to cry a little with you.
Just know that my thoughts, my heart, and my love are with you all.
Love,
MaryEllen Atton
Dear "Dorothy Livingston Seagull":
This one's for you!
D: dear, devoted, daring
O: optimistic, organized, original
R: rare, reliable, refreshing
O: ornery, obliging, outstanding
T: tender, tenacious, treasure
H: humorous, humane, headstrong
Y: Yankee! (And proud of it)
You touched my mind, my heart, and my funnybone again and again during the years we worked together. There will never be another like you, and when you return, be sure that you fly by me and wave a little wing so I will know that it is you. I miss you.
My love for you always,
Diane Turner
Dear David, Carol, Robin, Richard & "families",
I am so very sorry that Dorothys (your beloved Mom and gandmother) has left you to live with our God
It takes a long time to get used to the loss of someone we love but it is important to remember they leave something very special behind. They leave us memories of many things they said and did. As long as we have these memories Dorothy will continue to live in our hearts and minds. I feel very fortunate for having known her. We have gone through a great deal together in the 35 plus years we have known each other. Please be comforted that she did not suffer too ling! I feel blessed to have known her.
Every time I see a sea gull from now on I will think of her. She always said that if she went before me she was going to come back as a sea gull and I should watch out as she flew over me. I recall too the 2 cruises we went on. One of them was jsut her and I, and we truly had a wonderful time.
I am enclosing a hew things I thought you might like to have. Ther are 3 copies of the Newsday obituary (on for each family.) There are also 3 copies of a poen that I feel is very appropriate.
Lastly I am enclosing our church bulletin from today to show you your Mom was remembered in the church we shared many years together.
Dorothy will always have a very special place in my heart
Love
Ottilie
P.S. Needless to say many people from South Oask were shocked to hear about Dorothy and send their deepest sympathies.
Here is the poem Ottilie sent...
I am home in Heaven, dear ones;
On, so happy
and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting
light.
All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless
tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever,
Safely home in
Heaven at last
Did you wonder I so calmly
Trod the valley
of the shade?
Oh! but Jesus' love illuminated
Every dark
and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way
so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could
I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely;
For I
love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you
must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You
shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently
call you Home
Oh, the rapture of that meeting
Oh, the joy
to see you come!
Dear Robin, David and Richard,
Paumanoh NY3 of the "Women Marines Association" has made a donation in memory of your mother to the Salvation Army in Northport to be used to help Homeless Women Veterans.
We all have special memories of your mother's membership in the "Women Marines Association" and the "Marine Corp League".
At her suggestion for WMA functions she asked us to purchase suit type black jackets, and black skirts or slacks at Sears, and a military white shirt that school crossing guards bought at Army/Navy Supply Stores. Black shoes and our WMA green covers gave us an inexpensive uniform we all felt comforatble wearing.
For Marine Corp League affairs your mother had a blue "A line skirt" made. And if memory serves me right she sewed the red "blood stripe" on the side seams of the skirt. We purchased kahki shirts thru the uniform center.
Thanks to you Mom's suggestion we still wear these "uniforms" for the Birthday Ball, parades, wakes and funerals.
Pat Jamilkowski intends to have a memorial service at the League Clubhouse to honor the memory of you mother.
The death notice in Newsday described your mother to a "T".
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Murphy
(Pidge)
3-25-99
Dear Robin,
Yes it is with the deepest sadness that I received
the news of your Mother's death. And I was indeed fortunate to reveiw
our friendship last August. It would have been such an unfinished
story, if I had heard of her passing without ever getting to see
her again. I'm sure the Women Marines will have a Memorial Message
in our News Letter. She surely had many many dear freinds. Carrie
who came with me loved her instantly, and I remember she remarked
to me. Dorothy seems to never meet a stranger. She will be saddened
also, I'm sure. We did so want to come back again. My treasured
memories, of course are from 1944 at Cherry Point. We were in the
same department. I eventually married, and she spoke to me often
of "Sandy" in the Navy, whom she later married, as of
course in your history, family tree. You must be completely devestated.
She lived for you and her family. Thinking back to my visit, she
may have even had a feeling that all was not well, and I had knew
praying her back would heal. Little did I know the complications.
I know she was mightily Proud of you. We must have some common bond
she was a giver-never a taker. She was happiest doing something
for somebody else, and never giving a thought to her or our needs,
she especially pampered me on my visit. Just couldn't do enough.
And I willingly let her spoil me, and ordered everything I liked,
which pleased her, and gave Carrie a lot of laughs to see us together.
The highlight of our association was when she invited me to go home
with her for Christmas 1944 on a Three day Pass we called a "71."
She was so concerned I would have no one to spend Christmas with,
since my home was in Texas. I remember the snow everywhere, but
it didn't seem too cold. We went to Midnight
I was Pauline Veronica Auderwald and she was Dorothy (Mae?) Nolan she called me "Polly." My family had always called me Vera for my God Mother. I called her "Dottie", which she hates, but she was always Dottie Nolan to me. I was called "Tex" and "Audy" and all kinds of "handles" as was usual for the Services.
Robin, my heart goes out to you and all your families whom she did so cherish. She would not want you to grieve too long. I know when I die I don't want my children and grands to be weepy for too long. They say the best is yet to come. My sincere condolences.
Vera King
Dear David,
Here are my memories of your mom.
She was always happy and ready for fun. She seemed as if she could do almost anything she put her mind to. She was also very stubborn. I was glad to have been part of her 75th birthday celebration in R.I. this last summer. We also had a lot of laughs when we went to Atlantic City in September. She was always fun to be around.
Take Care!
Debbie
Dave:
The "marine buddy" with your mother [in the photo] is the mother of Ginny King Brady who teaches with me in Georgia. She shared with me your tribute to your mother. I lost my dad to cancer in September of 1997. He died 7 weeks after he was diagnosed. I too learned a lot about my dad when I went to stay with him his last two weeks. Hospice in Wisconsin helped us out tremendously.
Your mother was quite a women. As a former Navy Supply Officer, I'd agree certainly "Mustang" material. Better yet, one of God's great servants, as evidenced by her work for those in need.
I grieve and celebrate with you.
Dave
____________________________________________
Dr. David Toburen, toburend@nscdiscovery.org
Educational Technology Training Center
National Science Center
Fort Discovery,
Augusta, GA 30901
Dear Robin
I have been giving this letter a lot of thought. As you know Mother and I never had the pleasure of living near each other. Most of our communication was thru letters & phone calls.
Two of the few times we were together was the first time we met. She & your dad were engaged & she came to Indiana to meed the family. I was, by chance, at home, waiting for John to find us our apartment in New York. So I met this beautiful young girl from Rhode Island. We seemed to bond immediately & I thought how lucky my brother was to have found this lovely young woman. We spent the week at home. I got a call from John - he had found our apartment; but I told him I would see him in a week; explaining to him what was happening
The two of us took the train back to New York. We had such a nice trip. We talked about so many things.
I go off the train at Penn Station & she continued on to Rhode Island.
The next time I saw her was ar her wedding a few months later. John was you Dad's Best Man.
I thought, as I watched the ceremony that day, what a lovely couple they made.
There will always be a special place in my heart for you mother.
I loved them both so very much.
Love always
May God Bless
Aunt Eleanor
I have so many good memories of Dorothy, its hard to pick just one. She was my favorite anut. I remember all out summer vacations growing up and visiting your family in Indiana, Detroit and Long Island. In recent years, everyone marveled at how she would make the drive to Rhode Island all alone. She always wanted to go to the casino when she came here and she was a lot luckier than the rest of us.
I'm so grateful that she was able to join us in Atlantic City this past September where we got to spend the whole weekend together. The last time I saw her, we were leaving the parking garage of the hotel to go home and as we rounded the corner of the garage to the floor where she was parked, she was standing there waiting for us. She hustled Mom, Deb & myself out of the car and snapped a picture right in the middle of the garage. That's how I remember her - loving and full of fun!
Everytime I open my glove compartment of my car, I'm reminded of Dorothy - she left a new one dollar bill there for luck (or emergency) when she rode in my new car last summer as we headed to Foxwood's Casino.
I guess my most favorite memory is the week I spent at your Long Island house in the summer of 1964. I had come down alone, while on vacation from nursing school and really enjoyed the quality time I spent with Dorothy. I was 19 years old and had just started datin Bob who was 25 & lived in New York. I went out with him one night while I was there and Dorothy met him. I thought he was too old for me, but Dorothy thought he was great and encouraged me in the relationship. I valued her opnion and here we are, married almost 33 years.
It's so hard to believe she's gone - she is very much missed!!!
P.S. One other memory was this past summer, when we had a big family cookout to celebrate Irene's 80th & Dorothy's 75th. Rob makes delicious frozen mudslides & Dorothy had 3 of them - she had so much fun - laughing & sitting on Bob's lap. Everyone had a great time & its memories like this we shall treasure.
Love
Marsha Stephenson