(nee Reisinger) was, first and foremost a wife and mother. She was our mom and she loved us. We loved her. We have many, many stories and would like to share a few. She was born eighty four years ago some two months premature. Our grandmother brought her home in a shoebox and would turn on the oven to warm it then turn it off, open the door and set the box on the edge to keep her warm. Her grandmother would fashion a dresser drawer into a crib for this tiny girl. What she lacked in size she made up for in spirit. And what a spirit it was.
She met our Dad, Art, on Memorial Day, became engaged on Labor Day and they married during a snowstorm in January. During an epic cold blast they drove on icy roads to Florida to honeymoon. They were fond of saying it was “four below in Tupelo”. Eventually, Susan came along and then Bob two years later. When Bob was only six months old our Dad had a devastating heart attack. She was by his side as he recovered. Her brother, a priest, sent a friend to offer the Sacrament of the Sick (previously known as last rights). Art awakened from his medication stupor and told the young priest “I don’t need that yet, I’ll have my wife call you when I’m ready.” Mom was crying but heard the message loud and clear. He wrote her a note, “I’ll let you know when I’m ready”. She kept this note until he died and, in fact, until she died. This was more precious to her than any other gift.
She was a bookkeeper for forty years and worked hard to do a great job and take care of her family. She befriended most everyone she met. She and our Dad travelled in retirement and saw much of the world. They made much of the little they had. Our Dad passed away from complications of that long-ago heart attack in 2001. This was hard for all of us, especially for her. She persevered and found joy in her family and friends. She and Dad’s sister had always been friends, but they became bingo buddies and would have many adventures at the senior center. She lived with Bob and her granddaughter, Karen and loved her dogs Foster and Josie. She had the great joy of attending the small wedding ceremony of her only grandchild to a most wonderful young man, Thomas. She travelled often to Colorado to see Susan and her husband, Mike, where she loved to sit on the big back porch. She fell asleep there one day and was awakened by rain sprinkling on her. This made her very happy and became one of many stories to share. Little things made her happy and she so very often made others happy, worried for their well-being and tried to make their day just a little better.
She succumbed to illness and passed away holding Susan’s hand on December 9th. What is most important for you to know is what we know. She loved us and we loved her. We will miss her.
Visitation at Kutis (Gravois and Arsenal), Wednesday, December 14th, 5:30-8:30pm and funeral from Kutis, Thursday, December 15th at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, donation to the Leukemia Society.