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Today we reflect on the way in which God’s hand was upon Dorothy throughout her life and we give God thanks for the uniqueness that was hers.
The death of someone close to us can bring about a lot of changes in our lives, changes we may feel ill-prepared to make. Dorothy’s death will mean changes for her family but at the same time there are so many good memories and so much to celebrate.
I never knew Dorothy before her stroke, but it must have been the same energy that let her do so much then, that kept her going after she became wheelchair-bound. Whenever I saw Dorothy, either at the nursing home or at one of the teas Frank brought her to at the church, she always looked stunning. She wore clothes in vibrant colours that suited her and lovely earrings, her hair beautifully done, and her fingernails painted.
But it wasn’t just what Dorothy wore, of course, it was who she was. She always gave me a warm welcome, and never complained to me about anything at all. She was blessed to have Frank’s daily visits to her, and between them, they brought a lot of joy to the others living at Tadworth Court, and in particular, through the Crossword Club. She loved her family and liked to talk about them, what they were doing. She had a good sense of humour, which must have helped her out over the last several years. Dorothy’s face had a special way of lighting up when something amused her, her eyes speaking for her what she could only say with difficulty.
Dorothy belonged to the Women’s Church Council at the Epsom United Reformed Church, and was legendary for the plants that she brought to the Spring Event.
Today we give thanks for the gift of Dorothy’s life, but this is also an opportunity to thank God for what we are given, and to refocus our lives on the things that matter most in life. Amen.
Dorothy’s funeral took place on February 9th at Randalls Park. It was good to see so many people there to see her off. There must have been close to 100, which is a measure of the esteem in which she was held by so many.
Dorothy was a stalwart of the Women’s Church Council for many years, and would always bring a home-made cake along to sell at the coffee mornings. She was a keen gardener, and generous with her cuttings, many of which appeared in the URC plant sales, so lots of you will have her plants now filling your gardens to remember her by.
Dorothy lived at Tadworth Grove nursing home for the last 9 years of her life following a stroke, and was visited nearly every day by her husband, Frank. She was able to get out in an adapted car, and a highlight of her life was her trips to see the Epsom Symphony Orchestra concerts at Epsom Playhouse.
Donations in memory of Dorothy, if you wish, may be made to:
Epsom Symphony Orchestra OR The Stroke Association
c/o Ken Reeves Appeals Dept
Stone Cottage 1 Sterling Business Park
Woodcote Park Road Salthouse Road
Epsom KT18 7EX Northampton NN4 7EX
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