God has called her home, yet she leaves behind such great memories!
Here are some of my favorite pictures, a loving tribute to my mother, who most everyone knows as Gramma Dorothy.
Please post your comments, thoughts or any anecdotes that you have about her.
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steve says
OK, I’ll be the first… She always told me that she did not want a funeral or memorial. She wanted all of us to get together, and have a fun time in her honor.
Evie says
Thanks, Steve, for collecting up all these pictures. She is so special, and we are all blessed to have been part of her life, because she spread love and good things far and wide! Love and hugs to everyone who comes to visit this tribute to our Mom.
Pattie Coxey says
Thank you Dorothy for touching my heart in your sweet ways.
You have done your job well, now rest, knowing your legacy goes on
in all of your children and their children.
God says we will all see each other one day. I am looking forward to seeing
you again to tell you what you’ve meant to me.
With love always…
Francie says
Steve, these are precious memories! Thank you for sharing them with us and hopefully, many others. We will miss her so much.
Janette says
These are so great Steve thank you for putting this all together! I will have to look for some of my pics that might not be on here.
She was so very loved and I am going to miss her sweet smile.
Gramma- we will all take care of each other like you want! Thank you for making such a great loving family. Say hi to Jesus for us…. <3
Suzanne Larson says
Aunt Dorothy Memories:
-loving, kind, compassionate, industrious, wise, and a good cook (spaghetti and peanut butter cookies)
-“No drinking (milk) at meals until you finished with your dinner”
-No memories after early 50’s when Uncle Lee and Aunt Dorothy left for CA
Aunt Dorothy visited Buffalo several times over the years. It was such fun listening to her stories of days gone by. My thoughts and prayers are extended to her family as you adjust to the loss of a wonderful mom, aunt, sister and grandmother.
Suzanne Larson (my mom, Thelma Caldwell Maul, was a sister of Uncle Lee)
Sara Walsh says
The pictures of Grandma Dorothy are wonderful. Thanks, Steve. I will always remember her as a gentle and loving grandma that she was to so many children, her own and the countless others that she cared for over the years. I picture her in heaven holding a baby in her arms as she rocks it to sleep.
Pam Hibbert says
What a lovely tribute! Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos which show a life very well lived and a Mom dearly loved!
I remember how Gramma Dorothy served as the keystone for the Pre School “Covenant Club” at Brentwood Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday children could count on spending time with a kind and loving Gramma who had an amazing amount of patience! Children believed that church was a safe, loving, and fun place because of their relationship with this inspirational lady. Gramma Dorothy also counseled and encouraged so many parents, including me… on those days when I felt overwhelmed. Her sense of humor, sweet smile, and joy being with those she loved can be seen in your photo gallery. Thank you!
BETTY SYDOW says
ONE OUTSTANDING THING I REMEMBER, SHE TAUGHT ME TO MAKE GREAT WHITE SAUCE THANX DODO, WE’LL ALL MISS YOU AUNT DOROTHY
Janice Leigh (Wendel) Gray says
This is beautiful! I can’t wait to show the pictures to Bill, Morgan and Ellen, and will send it on to Ian in Annapolis.
I am regretting that we all did not get out to see Gramma. (Bill, Ian and Morgan saw her long ago.) This picture collection is a great consolation.
Llenroc is a lovely home. We hope to visit you all in the northwest.
…………….Love you Gramma, hug Lee for me.
Janice
Howard M. says
Lela called me this afternoon and shared the sad news about the passing of a very special person, your sweet mother. It wasn’t so long ago that Lela and I visited with her and I was so grateful to see her after so many years, the last times being in Long Beach, Sequim and most recently in Bothell. As we chatted with her, I was deeply touched by her presence and strong spirit that over the years influenced the lives of so many people. Even thought you and your family are saddened at this time I know that there was a joyous reunion in heaven as she was greeted by your father and so many others who were waiting to bring her home. There is a poem written by Wordsworth that is a favorite my mine, and speaks to this event,
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
I know that your sweet mother has returned home.
If a funeral or memorial service is planned, I would very much like to attend.
Please let me know if there is anything I can assist you with.
Howard
steve says
The following was posted in the Brentwood Presbyterian Church bulletin. Gramma Dorothy was a long-time Sunday School teacher at the Church.
It’s with sadness that we report the passing of “Grandma Dorothy” Caldwell on Saturday, April 13, 2013 in Seattle, WA at the age of 97. Dorothy was the mother of BPC member Francie Goodrich, grandmother of BPC member Linsay Goodrich Pellegrini, and great grandmother of Luca and Natalie. She was a long-time friend of BPC and her commitment to generations of BPC children every week in their Sunday School class as she taught them the Bible stories was legendary (as was the flannel board she used to act out the stories!) There will not be a memorial service in Los Angeles; instead, the family asks that any memorial gifts be given to BPC and designated for Children’s Ministry.
Francie says
Gramma started teaching Sunday school at Brentwood Presbyterian Church in 1980 in the 4-year-old class. When Jaime and Linsay arrived, they, of course, called their teacher Gramma Dorothy. So for the next 15 years, Gramma Dorothy loved and ministered to the 4 year old children in her class. She taught every Sunday morning (really! I think she missed 3 Sundays in all those years) and prepared her lessons and stories with love and care. One of her favorite things to do was talk about Jesus when he was a little boy. She talked to the children about his family and how he might have lived. The kids were delighted to eat flatbread and grapes and figs for their snack just like Jesus probably did.
Linda Reber says
I’m working on family history and we share a relative–Annie Maddox–daughter of William Maddox and Emily Jessopp. I have a family photo I would love to share with you. I was wondering if you have any family pictures of our Great, Great, Great Grandparents! Please e-mail linda.reber@gmail.com
Ginny says
These are beautiful Steve… thank you so much for putting it all together. The world always seemed a bit magical when Gramma would come to visit Cheektowaga. In your first posted picture you ask “Who took this”? It was me, date shows May 8th, 2005… it was a family gathering at Francie’s house in Marina Del Rey… Benson was just a tiny baby. Much love Gramma… we will all see you again one day.