Several years ago, I borrowed the Kennedy family photo album so that I could scan select pictures. I am happy more than ever that I did this. My only regret is I wish I had scanned every last photo.
On June 23rd, we laid my sweet mother-in-law to rest as she requested on their property; in one of my favorite spots below Grandpa Kennedy’s barn beneath a large mulberry tree. When I married into the family I inherited more than an in-law, but another mother. Today, I pay honor to her…
Pictured on the far left is my MIL, Dorothy. She’s in her early teens, I think. DD#1 is a near carbon copy of her mamaw at the same age.Dorothy’s graduation. This may not seem like a big deal to most, but Dorothy was the first woman to finish high school from the tiny backwoods holler known as State Line Ridge #2. Her parents lived at the end of that ridge. To go to school, she had to walk out (I’m talking miles) or to ride in the back of her uncle’s pickup truck to the main road to catch the school bus. She went on to become an assistant teacher, but did the work of a school teacher.
The day my in-laws got married in April 1947. In these old photos, I always thought of Dorothy as a Starlet. She definitely is as pretty, if not prettier than any big screen actresses from her era. However, she just wasn’t beautiful on the outside; she was also beautiful on the inside.I am not sure of the year, but this was a Christmas from the late 70s. DH & I were probably dating at the time.Photographed taken in the mid to late 70s. One of Dorothy’s hobbies, if you can call it that, was sewing. In this photo, she is wearing an outfit she made. Here she is to the left with her mother. They look a lot alike, don’t you think?Photo taken in the late 1990s. This is perhaps the way I like to think of Dorothy the most; still able to do the things she enjoyed ~ sewing, making quilts, cooking, gardening, and housework. She was an amazing woman!
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Thank you for making me apart of your day. Please leave your comments footprints so that I know you came and I will hop over to your place soon. Have a wonderful day!
This is such a sweet tribute to a beautiful lady, who also had a beautiful mother. How blessed your family has been. I am sorry that you had to say good-bye. {{{Hugs}}}
My MIL was a very kind and beautiful person – inside and out. You’d not a better person than her! We were very blessed to have her in our lives for many years.One day, we’ll see her again.
What a beautiful, happy day that will be for your family. For the rest of us, hopefully it will be a long time down the road. We want to keep you here with us. 🙂
That heavenly reunion will be a grand one for sure but I’m not planning on attending anytime soon. There’s much for me to do yet in this life with and for my family, so I think you don’t have anything to worry about me departing anytime soon. Blessings to you, dear friend!
I understand that completely. 🙂 You have to be here a good long time and see grandbabies grow up to become mommies and daddies and all that fun stuff!
Have a blessed day, my friend. 🙂
Tracy, Really? I would like to see your grandmother’s picture. I think the woman from this era were distinctively beautiful…naturally glamorous looking. Maybe, I’m just a romantic or feeling a bit nostalgic, but I think most people would agree. What do you think?
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful lady’s picture! She is gorgeous & what a perfect couple they made! Rest in peace pretty lady! Hugs to you & your family my dear friend!
Marie, thanks! My in-laws are wonderful, wonderful people. I am so blessed to count myself as part of this family. Dorothy didn’t have much growing up and worked hard all of her life to build (physically) a home, make clothes for the family, piece together quilts, prepared homemade meals, gardening, canning, and on & on. She was truly amazing up to the last three years of her life, and it was such a blessing to step in to carry things a bit for her when she slowed down. I bet cherubs are finding they can’t keep up with her heaven because that’s precisely how we felt when we were in our 20s. lol
I think she would wonder what all the fuss is about over her. For the last 2-3 years of her life, as she grew more feeble she always said, “I ain’t worth a nickle.” She was worth far more than that to us and didn’t understand her the value of her worth in our eyes. All she could see was her inability to do what she once did for herself. She did so much for her family that helping her in her last days was a true honor. I miss her a lot, but I know she’s busy in heaven doing the things she loves ~ cooking, cleaning, sewing, and chasing little cherubs.
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27 Comments
Suzanne Gunter McClendon
This is such a sweet tribute to a beautiful lady, who also had a beautiful mother. How blessed your family has been. I am sorry that you had to say good-bye. {{{Hugs}}}
Cathy Kennedy
Suzanne,
My MIL was a very kind and beautiful person – inside and out. You’d not a better person than her! We were very blessed to have her in our lives for many years.One day, we’ll see her again.
Suzanne Gunter McClendon
What a beautiful, happy day that will be for your family. For the rest of us, hopefully it will be a long time down the road. We want to keep you here with us. 🙂
Have a blessed evening, Cathy.
Cathy Kennedy
Suzanne,
That heavenly reunion will be a grand one for sure but I’m not planning on attending anytime soon. There’s much for me to do yet in this life with and for my family, so I think you don’t have anything to worry about me departing anytime soon. Blessings to you, dear friend!
Suzanne Gunter McClendon
I understand that completely. 🙂 You have to be here a good long time and see grandbabies grow up to become mommies and daddies and all that fun stuff!
Have a blessed day, my friend. 🙂
Cathy Kennedy
Yep, sure do! 😄
Patrick Weseman
Great photos and praying for you and your family.
Cathy Kennedy
Thanks Patrick! Prayers are especially needed for my FIL, Austin. He’s having a difficult time with Dorothy’s passing.
ascendingbutterfly
OMG! In the second photo she looks so similar to a picture I have of my Grand-Mother that I literally did a double take look!
I am sure she would be touched by your post.
Cathy Kennedy
Tracy, Really? I would like to see your grandmother’s picture. I think the woman from this era were distinctively beautiful…naturally glamorous looking. Maybe, I’m just a romantic or feeling a bit nostalgic, but I think most people would agree. What do you think?
mamaboetobi
my condolences….she was really beautiful..
Cathy Kennedy
Thank you and yes, she was really beautiful!
Rachel Schieffelbein
I’m so sorry for your loss. And I agree, she was as pretty as a film star. 🙂 How wonderful to have a mother-in-law you got to be so close to.
Cathy Kennedy
It was a tremendous blessing to have nothing, but praises to say of Dorothy. Thank you for your kindness!
Anita Lim
I am so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing these wonderful photos!
Cathy Kennedy
It’s an honor to share them with you. Thank you for making me apart of your day!
another jennifer
Such beautiful photos. I am sorry for your loss. It is a gift to have such a wonderful mother-in-law. I have a wonderful one myself.
Cathy Kennedy
Thank you Jennifer. So, glad you have a great MIL. Dorothy was an inspiration. Why she is the reason I know how to make fantastic biscuits.
XmasDolly
Thanks for sharing such a beautiful lady’s picture! She is gorgeous & what a perfect couple they made! Rest in peace pretty lady! Hugs to you & your family my dear friend!
Cathy Kennedy
Marie, thanks! My in-laws are wonderful, wonderful people. I am so blessed to count myself as part of this family. Dorothy didn’t have much growing up and worked hard all of her life to build (physically) a home, make clothes for the family, piece together quilts, prepared homemade meals, gardening, canning, and on & on. She was truly amazing up to the last three years of her life, and it was such a blessing to step in to carry things a bit for her when she slowed down. I bet cherubs are finding they can’t keep up with her heaven because that’s precisely how we felt when we were in our 20s. lol
Joyce
I’m sorry for your lost.
https://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2014/07/ww-how-to-take-perfect-photograph.html
Ai Sakura
Condolences to you and your family. She’s a beautiful lady.
Ai @ Sakura Haruka
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Cathy Kennedy
Thank you!
Naila Moon
She was quite a lady it seems. I am glad that you have shared her with us.
Cathy Kennedy
She was 1-in-a-1,000,000! 🙂
Cody-Cat Chat (@CatChatCaren)
so deeply sorry for your loss…..she would love how you created this wonderful memorial in her honor
Cathy Kennedy
I think she would wonder what all the fuss is about over her. For the last 2-3 years of her life, as she grew more feeble she always said, “I ain’t worth a nickle.” She was worth far more than that to us and didn’t understand her the value of her worth in our eyes. All she could see was her inability to do what she once did for herself. She did so much for her family that helping her in her last days was a true honor. I miss her a lot, but I know she’s busy in heaven doing the things she loves ~ cooking, cleaning, sewing, and chasing little cherubs.