This is the matriarch of my mother’s side of the family. Her spirit is something I admire. When she was young she had fiery red hair and temper. As she grew older that spirit carried her around the world twice in her 80’s! She was always reading books and working puzzles. She attended church on Sunday, listened to Mahalia Jackson gospel hymns and introduced me to Buddhism and the writings of the Dali Llama! She loved her 4 o’clock tequila margarita and referred to the water feature at her retirement community as “Viagra Falls!”
I was blessed to make this portrait on a sunny day.
Here is her obituary:
October 1918 – July 2014
Dorothy was the oldest of 5 children of Howard, Commander USN and Jennie Booth. As a “Navy Brat” she traveled with her family across the country several times in her young life, living in Washington D.C., Panama and California. Settling in San Pedro, CA she married Harry Meisel on Christmas day, 1941, prior to him leaving for the war. She raised 3 children and worked with Harry in his Optometry office until retirement. Dorothy is survived by her children, Harry III (Pam), Nancy (Ira) Gardner and Roy (Marilyn); 9 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-grandchildren. Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 27, 2014 at the New Horizons Club House Lounge. As per her request, her ashes will be scattered at sea.
