Dorothy Rathbone - 93 - died Tuesday, October 26, 2004 here in Dalhart, TexasA tribute to Dorothy Rathbone Standing at barely 52, Dorothy Rathbone was a pillar of strength. Born into a pioneer family, she learned the value of hard work and faith, which built the foundation to support her for the rest of her life. This strength was challenged so many times, especially by the tragic loss of people closest to her, only to persevere, due in part to her unwavering faith in God. Even in the last weeks of her life, certainly bearing a physical pain that would bring the bravest of men to their knees, she persevered without complaint. Her strength of spirit was more than a disposition; it was the optimism of a faithful soul, who trusted in God's purposes, and knew those purposes to be right and true. Her strength was felt by all who knew her and those who briefly encountered her. Dorothys house was a place each of us, consciously or unconsciously, would go if we needed strength in our own lives. We all found comfort in her food, conversation and the occasional words of wisdom that led us to be better people. Here are a few she imparted to me: - It is important to have your own yard. Its the best cure for any problem. Putting your hands in the soil and growing plants and flowers, its God medicine for your mind.- You need to find someone who loves you just as much as you love them. - Dont put pepper on the fried chicken until it is in the oil. I think it tastes better that way.- Let your wife make decisions with you. I never had that in my life, so make sure you make decisions together.- Food just tastes better when you share it with someone. Compassion, a term associated with the life of Christ. Compassion is also a term associated with Dorothy. How fitting God chose this compassionate soul to be taken during All Saints Week. We all know too well that Dorothy asked very little from us, only for our company and conversation. She knew all of our favorite pies. Dad loved coconut, Mom pecan, Jay and Julie pumpkin, Jeff cherry, and apple for me. Depending on who showed up to her house she would have your favorite pie ready no matter what time you strolled in from the drive. I am sure she knew the pie most people in this room liked as well. After her stroke, she said that she had been cooking 80 some years and she never thought she would miss it so much. As I look back on that, I believe every pie, fried chicken or steak was always made with love. When it was taken away from her, it was as if she felt like she didnt have much else to offer people. Little did she know it was never the pies we loved, it was just being with her that made us keep coming back. It is this compassionate, loving soul that touched each of our lives Her laugh. What an infectious laugh. It rings in my mind. As she sits at her kitchen table, telling us stories of her childhood, she would laugh. She would laugh at how poor they were. She laughed about the old car they drove clear across country. She would laugh at how her dad would use his horse to tow them to school on a railroad tie during the winter. She would laugh at all the crazy things she did as a child. She laughed at our stories, she laughed at our celebrations. Oh how I loved to hear her laugh. Maybe that is why God let us enjoy her for 93 years. He knew it would be so hard for us to go without that laugh. Like the sun, Dorothy bathed us in her warm glow, and now that the sun has set and the cool of the evening has come, some of the warmth we absorbed is flowing back to her today. Strength, compassion, laughter -- three special qualities, founded by her Christian faith. Qualities that clothed her life so richly. Qualities that with her passing, we too -- by the grace of God -- may have in our own lives. Let that be a part of her legacy to us, and a part of our tribute to her. So go forth and live with strength, compassion and laughter. Jeremy Stefanek A vigil Service was held at 6:00 pm Friday, October 29, at St. Anthonys Catholic Church The Mass of Christian Burial was at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 30th,at St. Anthonys Catholic Church and burial was in Memorial Park Cemetery.Father Robert Busch, Pastor St. Anthonys Catholic Church OfficiatedDorothy is survived by one daughter - Donna & her husband Dan Stefanek of Denver, CO 3 grandsons - Jay and his wife Becky Stefanek of Birmingham, AL, Jeff and his fianc Rebecca Jarboe of Denver, CO, and Jeremy and his new bride Jenny Stefanek of Memphis, TN Brothers - Donald Moore of Albuquerque, NM, Sydney Moore of Dallas, TX, David Moore of Salt Lake City UT, Billy Moore of Dalhart, TX and Joe Allender of Santa Fe, NM She is preceded in death by her parents,husbands Edward Theiner, and Lloyd Rathbone, a grand-daughter - Julie Stefanek, 4 sisters, and 2 brothersDorothy Elizabeth and her twin brother Donald Moore were born July 24th, 1911 in Gainesville, TX to Cyrus and Annie (Lewis) Moore. They moved to Texhoma, OK that year and in 1920 they moved to Dalhart to farm South of Town.Dorothy graduated from Dalhart High School in 1930 and recently attended her 74th High School Reunion.She married Edward Theiner in 1930 and made her home in Dalhart where their daughter, Donna, was born before moving to Hooker, OK, where they lived until Edward died. Dorothy returned to Dalhart to Care for her father, who died in 1963. She later married Lloyd Rathbone.Dorothy was an active member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church and the Legion of Mary. She loved being a homemaker and people everywhere would come to Dots Kitchen for the most incredible fried chicken and homemade pies - made especially for them!