This morning, my mother-in-law, Dorothy Kemelhor (nee Altman), passed away at the age of 98. Her husband Bob (or, "Bop" as he was known to his grandchildren), to whom she was married for 67 years, passed away in 2007. Dorothy leaves behind two daughters, four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren, plus a number of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In her long and productive life, Dorothy ("Dot") was a teacher, guidance counselor, official in the League of Women Voters, and inveterate bridge player, Boggler, and crossword puzzler. She was always active in politics and community. She was a tornado of activity well into her 90's. But, as with her late husband, to try to summarize or eulogize a life as long and full as Dorothy's would not come close to doing her justice. She did a little bit of everything in her life, and did it extremely well. Suffice it to say, she was a really extraordinary woman who raised extraordinary daughters and (to compare her metaphorically to Mr. Astaire's dancing partner) accomplished everything any man could do, while doing it "backwards and in high heels."
She loved her family and we loved her. Her grandchildren called her "Lulu" because she would rock them and sing "lululululu" when they were little. To all of us, she was a "lulu" all right, and we'll miss her terribly.
