My Grandma Dobesh

I miss her so much already. She passed away New Year's Eve morning after a massive stroke. She was very much at peace and ready to meet her Lord. It makes me so sad to know she won't be welcoming us at her door with her big 'Hello' and special hug. She was a woman with much love in her heart and a large family that she adored and who adored her as well. She was always willing to help whenever you needed it and gave generously to others, especially those in need.

Grandma lived a life of love, faith and family. Her home always felt so welcoming and peaceful and smelled of fresh baked food. As a child, my brother and I would spend a week or two at her farm every summer. She taught us to bake from scratch, garden, sew, tend to farm animals, cook rhubarb, shell popcorn, reuse products (like cutting milk cartons to make jugs to carry things), frugal living, conservation, Catholic teachings, and took us to swim lessons and church.

Her farm was always full of pets and animals. Throughout the years she had cats (30 or more at times), dogs, goats, peacocks, pigs, horses, cattle and chicken. As a city girl, I loved going to her farm and seeing all the animals and helping to care for them.

Grandma was so patient and very good with children. She raised six boys, has 16 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. All six of her sons are successful: three are veterinarians, one is a nurse, one is a mechanical genius and my dad is a small business owner. Even now, her basement has a play corner full of toys, including a play kitchen. My daughter loved going there and playing with great grandma and her young cousins. Grandma always loved to have a full house and especially enjoyed interacting with the children.

We will miss her dearly. She was a wonderful woman and she made a huge positive impact on my life and I am so grateful to have had her in my life for the last 30 years. She will be in heaven with her husband (widowed 23 years) watching over us now. Rest in peace and love always.