Connie called before 6:00 this morning, and even before I answered the phone, I knew who was calling…and why. She wanted me to know that our friend Dorothy had died about 45 minutes earlier after fighting a fierce battle against cancer. Not willing to go “gently into that good night,” for months her indomitable spirit had persevered. She was so tough! Gentle too. And spiritual and mannerly and funny. We all loved her wit and her graciousness.
The last time I talked with Dorothy was over a week ago, and although she was sedated, she knew someone was in the room and asked her husband, “Is someone here?” When Tracy replied that I was there, she said, “Hi Jayne. Sorry.” Isn’t that amazing? Even in her suffering, Dorothy cared for the comfort and ease of others and was actually apologizing to me for not being able to chat. A couple of days later, visits were restricted to immediate family, medical personnel, and the clergy, so that was the last time I heard her voice.
We’ve had tons of chats over the last five years, however, and I LOVED her accent. From England, Dorothy never lost her British accent, and no matter what she said, the words somehow sounded cooler coming from her lips. At the moment I’m remembering a closing prayer that she once gave in Sacrament meeting in which she asked for peace to cover the earth. I think of the dozens and dozens of Relief Society lessons I heard her present, all of them well-prepared and excellent. Then too, she was a faithful member of our New Horizons Book Club and always had some unique commentary to offer.
I wanted to write something comforting for Tracy, Sarah, the grandchildren, Connie, and all of the other people who loved Dorothy Popham, but I’m stumped. Although there is nothing that can take away the pain, I’d like to share an image that I can’t shake from my mind. It’s of a small card that a Relief Society teacher gave to her class members one day many years ago. On it was a beautiful painting of Christ embracing a person, and at the bottom of the card were the words, “Welcome Home.” Dorothy has received that hug; she’s home. I hope her family and friends find some solace in that thought.
mom's musings 
I love this blog! It did way more justice then the one I came up with.
Did you blog something about Dot Dot? I’ll have to check it out.
Sorry for your loss, but what a great attitude and way to remember a life. God bless.
Thank you. Last night her husband showed me the program to be used at her memorial service, and at the end there’s to be a rendition of “When the Saints Come Marching In.” She has said for years that she wanted her service to be one of celebration and joy and that she wanted to have a jazz band play that song. I don’t think the jazz band will be there, but there will be some upbeat music to commemorate the life of this great lady.
Thanks, this is beautiful! I personally find great solace in that fact that she is “Home”
Here’s a poem I came across poem in a little book called Beginnings by Carol Lynn Pearson. I bet you have it. Anyway, here goes:
Point of View
Sun and mountain meet.
“Look,” I say.
“Sunset!”
But I forget
That far away
An islander
Wipes morning
From his eyes
And watches
The same sun
Rise.
What’s birth?
And death?
What’s near
Or far?
It all depends
On where you are.
yes. I think I know which picture you’re talking about… I used to have a poster-sized one. It can be a great comfort in the midst of loss… still, it’s really good to remember that grief comes with every death, I think. Even if it’s just for a few moments, remembering who they were and how we’ll miss them until we see them again. 🙂