I’m writing of one of my sisters who prayed specifically for me as part of her ministry. Those of you who have been with me a while may recall a post I wrote over a year ago about Sister Dorothy Baxter, who at that time was told by doctors that they would be surprised if she was around a month later. So began what has turned out to be a very long wait for God to come for her. But now I rejoice for Dorothy, as she is finally with God as of Friday afternoon. (Click here for her obituary.)
After lunch, she went to play bingo in the Villa, and then asked to leave as she wasn’t feeling well. Within 5 minutes of returning to her room, she died peacefully in her wheelchair.
I don’t make it back to the mothership for many of the funerals of our sisters, but I changed my plans to leave here yesterday so I can stay for Dorothy’s funeral on Monday. As a bonus, I got to meet many of the young adult counselors for our Peace Camp that starts this week – they came over today for Sunday Mass and brunch, and a couple of them said to be on the lookout for friend requests on Facebook – so if any of you folks are reading this for the first time, welcome!
And Dorothy, keep up the prayers! I’ll drink a cappuccino in your honor!
Sandy,
I’d want to add a note about Dorothy. She loved to play cards and was extremely bright! Although during her last few months she often did not feel well enough to play. In those first few days after the medical folks told her “10 days to a few weeks” she had a slew of visitors coming to say “good bye”. One of them was Fr. John Bachkay and his mother who was a good friend of Dorothy’s. As John was leaving he said, “Bye, see you next week.” and Dorothy said, “Say good-bye, you won’t see me next week!” In the months that followed quite a few of our sisters died and Dorothy was still waiting for God!! For me it was such an example of how “God’s time is not our time” and I want to in part honor Dorothy by living and giving my all each day. That includes zeal for the mission and playing cards!
Blessings to all who visit Sandy’s site!
Mary Parks, CSJ
My Dad, Edward Ellsworth,grew up as the next door neighbor to Sr Rod(as we affectionately knew her).He passed away on July 12,2008 and I later read Sr Rod’s obit…I just know they are all visiting together now and being our special angels.My Mom and Dad kept in contact with Sr Rod over the years and always at Christmas.My Dad told great stories of the childhood memories of growing up on Hoon St and being friends with the Baxter family.I have my own memories of going to the Baden festivals and seeing Sr Rod,as I am a product of 8 years of excellent CSJ education at Transfiguration school in Monongahela,Pa