Dorothy Roseman
1913 - 2006
1913 - 2006
My mother-in-law passed away yesterday. She was 93 years old. She was a widow when I met her and never remarried. She was an amazing woman. She grew up on a farm in Iowa and lost her mother at a young age. Being one of the oldest of 11 children, she had the responsibility of helping to care for the house and the younger children. After she finished school, she taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Iowa before her marriage to Dean Roseman. After a brief time of living in Texas, where Alan was born, they moved to California with their two sons in the early 1940s and their two daughters were born in Los Angeles. Her husband died at age 55 and it was during his illness that she learned to drive and went to work in the insurance industry.
She was a wonderful cook and made everything from scratch. In the early years of my marriage, I don't think I remember her ever sitting down except perhaps to eat. Her energy seemed limitless. After she retired, she cared for my two kids so I could work one day a week at the church. Jennifer was 3 and David was a year a half. She would take them for walks and she always found interesting things to show them and they would usually stop for a snack somewhere along the way. Jen still has very fond memories of those days.
She enjoyed remarkably good health and remained very alert until shortly before Alan's death. After that, she seemed to deteriorate rather quickly. She had moved to Arizona about 12 years before, but her son Robert would go get her to bring her to California for family events and holidays. The last time I saw her was Christmas of 2002. The decision was made to move her to Missouri in the spring of 2003 to be closer to her youngest daughter. Jen flew to Missouri last summer to see her and it was very difficult for her to see the change in her grandmother. She was very content but didn't recognize anyone most of the time. It's good to know she is at home in the arms of Jesus and experiencing the glories of heaven.
Pray for her children as they make arrangements this week. It's a difficult time for them as you would expect. And it's hard for me to be so far away and unable to offer any comfort. Pray too for her remaining siblings and her grandchildren as they grieve this loss.
She was a wonderful cook and made everything from scratch. In the early years of my marriage, I don't think I remember her ever sitting down except perhaps to eat. Her energy seemed limitless. After she retired, she cared for my two kids so I could work one day a week at the church. Jennifer was 3 and David was a year a half. She would take them for walks and she always found interesting things to show them and they would usually stop for a snack somewhere along the way. Jen still has very fond memories of those days.
She enjoyed remarkably good health and remained very alert until shortly before Alan's death. After that, she seemed to deteriorate rather quickly. She had moved to Arizona about 12 years before, but her son Robert would go get her to bring her to California for family events and holidays. The last time I saw her was Christmas of 2002. The decision was made to move her to Missouri in the spring of 2003 to be closer to her youngest daughter. Jen flew to Missouri last summer to see her and it was very difficult for her to see the change in her grandmother. She was very content but didn't recognize anyone most of the time. It's good to know she is at home in the arms of Jesus and experiencing the glories of heaven.
Pray for her children as they make arrangements this week. It's a difficult time for them as you would expect. And it's hard for me to be so far away and unable to offer any comfort. Pray too for her remaining siblings and her grandchildren as they grieve this loss.
4 comments:
I'm so sorry! She was born the same year as my grandmother.
What a lovely tribute to and about her. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs to you --
M
I mourn and celebrate with you Pat. An era of incredible women are all now leaving. May we fill their shoes for the generations behind us! My Grams was 92. What great memories and legacies they left.
Thanks for the update Pat!
Pat,
What a beautiful woman you just described to us! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. I have a friend who is also grieving the loss of her mother in law. I have been thinking lately how wonderful it is that "the two shall become one". The fact that you loved Alan's mother is so cool. I love my mother in law too. Thank you so much for the reminder! We love you Pat!
Julie
Post a Comment