Page created by: Barb Cherem

Dorothy was a enthusiastic and prideful German mother, spouse and grandmother who lived to be 89 years old. She had a special welcoming smile and greeting that cousins still recall as so special. She's hold people's faces between her hands and be very "present" as is said today. She'd make them feel very special.
She had many talents, but her special pride was the speedy secretarial skills she would yield. Her most special job was at the Detroit Golf Club where she worked for quite a while with a fairly long commute. Each Thanksgiving, my dad and I would trekker there about a 35-40minute ride to pick up theThanksgiving dinner she'd order from there, while she, a great cook, would be home making many sides and creating a lovely table with linens, candles and the like.
I'd often receive both typed and hand-written letters from my mom in her "in-between" moments at work with a few minutes to drop a line to me at college or after marriage when living out state. When we moved back to MI, I almost think she missed that way of staying in touch as it was more comfortable than the phone or visits even.
Dorothy was a "oner", one of kind, in that she was a feminist before her time, although my older sister didn't see that part of her, I really did ---being in high school and college during the mid-to-late 60s when much of feminism and other movements "came to a head". She always felt she (and other women) were under-valued and rated, whereas she'd hoped to be named a manager, she never completed college ago have that distinction. She loved work, worked hard and well, and held many jobs of which she was very proud. I inherited that from my mom. She loved to read and cook, her two most enjoyable pursuits, although she also gardened and decorated when I was a younger child. She enjoyed designing a personal presentation as well, and always dressed and smelled so nicely.
When Parkinson's came round in her mid-80s, much of her pride was impugned upon, and she greatly resented not having control anymore. Although she had few tremors, mobility was affected and she had some delusions and confusions as well. She was a fighter though and really tried to get out of the Nursing Home by offering to pay someone to move her back to her homestead. My dad who needed less help was much more sanguine about their later years, but Dolly never really adjusted or accepted that she would go without a fight. What I remember now these many years later though, was her warmth and cheerfulness, her strength and optimism, her integrity and commitments. Fierce to the end, thoughtfully reflective and action-packed as well. Quite a woman, my mom.