Dorothy Rasmussen Brady

Mom died on March 4, 2011.  (Click the title for her obituary).  Almost the entire immediate family was there that day and were able to be with her.  Videos were played from our California branch and cards and letters were read to her from her children and grandchildren.  Just the day before she was sitting up and having a good lunch.  Mom would have been 90 on May 3.  It always amazed me how long she lived for most of her life she suffered from high blood pressure and later other chronic illnesses.  After Dad died in 2001 she went through treatment for breast cancer and never gave it a second thought.  She always said I'm going to go some night in my sleep in my own bed....and that she did.

Dorothy led a busy life.   She raised 7 children and then went to work for the Infirmary doing all the heavy labor involved with caring for older folks.   She taught CCD at the local church, volunteered at the Infirmary after she retired, helping secure a transportation van for them, she was the Civil Defense member of the DAR.  She always kept in touch with her many friends made from her early school days in Chicago at St. Xavier Academy, Colfax Avenue, California Avenue, later Broadalbin, Gloversville and Johnstown, NY.

For the past few years, much of her time was spent on her front porch at Deer Creek and watching her favorite shows on TV.  She  loved every gruesome, lurid, crime drama in her old age...and of course, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune! She and her sisters, Harriet and Lois,  are so SMART! Jotto and word games, name the states, and hours and hours of 500 Rummy! HGTV was always great fun!

She also listened to all of our suggestions, said "Sure will" and then did exactly as she pleased. I love her for that!

She spent lots of time keeping the peace and that worked because our huge family never has any animosity toward each other and she is the reason why. She treated each of her children differently and we all settled into our cozy roles with her and didn't feel jealous of one another.

I can't leave out "worrier" in her younger years. And her fears of flying and the dentist. I also use her as a model of being a wise older family member. She never interfered, but I always knew she was praying for us all. For many years she went to Mass every day!   I now truly understand that finally being "at Peace" for her is no longer having to worry about all of us so much.

Paul, thank you and Aunt Harriet for the beautiful obituary. Boy, there are a lot of us!

Kathy, thank you for your industry, creativity and compassion.
Celeste, thank you for your tender care for your best friend.
Mark, thank you for taking over all the details after Dad died, lottery tickets and Snapple. Gay, for being there on Saturdays.
Laura & Adrian, for your good-natured playfulness and love.
Paul and Dar, thank you for your spiritual care of Mom, yardwork and snowblowing, driving....and cooking!
Ellen, Al and Kaitlyn, thank you for visiting, shopping, washing, cleaning, pharmaceuticals, and your sense of humor.
And Mom, thank you for letting me come to you and be your horizontal kid. You know what I mean....

I guess if I have a role it would be to keep us all together, especially now that Mom has gone. Let's keep our newsletter going and contribute bits and pieces of our lives to it on occasion.