Dorothy Lorraine Abrecka
Dorothy Lorraine Abrecka, age 87, shh, please don’t tell anyone that I revealed her age, though she was not shy about it and, in fact, reveled it, as she defied all expectations of a professional woman and later a senior woman in a “Man’s World”.
“Then out spake brave Horatius, The Captain of the gate: ‘To every man upon this earth, Death cometh soon or late. And how can man die better, Than facing fearful odds...’”
(Thomas Babbington Maccauly)
Dorothy, or as some of closest friends called her “Tootsie”, passed gently into God’s loving embrace Friday, August 31, 2018, in Riddle Hospital after her many friends and relatives visited and recalled their memories of her wonderful life and friendship and the love that she shared with them during her journey through life.
During her stay in Riddle where she laid rack with the illness that would claim her life, her son Joseph spent many mornings and nights at her bedside telling her how much she would be missed by all she loved and helped during her lifetime.
Dorothy was a lifelong resident of Delaware County having grown up in Darby and graduated from Darby High School in 1949. After the birth of her son Joseph, she moved to Sharon Hill where she lived until her final move to Aston Township in 1967. During her Darby high school years she excelled in academics graduating with honors, later earning an undergraduate degree and finally two masters degrees. Not only did she excel in academics but she also participated in theater arts, field hockey and basketball.
Her working career found her in the legal publishing field, as an Executive Assistant at the former Franklin Mint Company, and on the weekends she spent time making “pin money” at discos reading palms and Taro Cards. She was a proud member of the Parastudy Group in Chester Heights, PA.
“Yet all fades away when the time comes. It comes for everyone, and the core is revealed, if only to yourself, when you are alone.” (Sir Winston S. Churchill)
No Greek philosopher, Roman hero, or English or American poet can quell the anguished of a now grown boy who will no longer have his mother nearby to soothe his soul and tell him that tomorrow will be a beautiful and wonderful day bringing awesome and new delights. Her strong and wonderful soul was loved and appreciated not only by her relatives but also by her many friends over her 87 years. She was loved for her fortitude and humility, and she propelled her son, Joseph, to a higher standard of ethics.
“Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields,
See how these names are feted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud And whispers of wind in the listening sky. The names of those who in their lives fought for life, Who wore at their hearts the fire’s centre.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun, And left the vivid air signed with their honour.”
(Stephen Spender) Mom, missing you every waking moment, never will I forget how you traveled a path to greatness. I love you. Your loving son, Joseph.
Service and Grave Site Ceremony will be held in April 2019.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, PO Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 or Brandywine.org are encouraged.