Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Mark's Eulogy
My cousin mark delivered this beautiful eulogy at my mom's funeral on April 29th. I thank him for it.
____________________________
Eulogy for Dora Ann Dunn
August 13, 1932 – April 22, 2006
Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church
San Pedro, California
Good Afternoon. On behalf of Carrie, Dottie and our entire family, I would like to thank all of you for joining us today to pay respects, to remember and to celebrate the life of Dora Dunn.
My name is Mark Linscomb. Dora is my cousin…but she and my dad, Phil, and Dora’s sister Dorothy (who most of you know as Dottie) were so close, that they were brother and sisters in all except the requisite genes. A relationship mirrored by their children Carrie, David, Chris and me. So close were they, in fact, that my dad told Dora and Dottie that he was going to marry my mom …two years before he told my mom! Therefore, for all practical purposes, they are my aunts. And I am honored to have been selected to represent our family at today’s celebration of the life of my aunt, Dora Ann Dunn.
A week ago, Thursday, Dottie and I were with Dora in her room at Little Company of Mary Hospital. Dr. Capisi had just left the room after examining Dora and sharing with us a rather bleak prognosis. I remember Dottie saying to me, “She’s strong…” All I could do was nod in agreement and then Dottie reiterated, “She’s always been very strong.” How poignant and true that statement is.
Dora’s superior intellect, strong will and driving spirit manifested itself early as she was skipped a full grade at 96th Street School before she and Dottie transferred to St. Lawrence of Brendizi School in Watts, the community where Dora was raised surrounded by a large, extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Even though she was born and raised in California, she grew up in a Louisiana culture that prized family, good gumbo, red beans and rice and the Catholic faith.
Dora had high standards in everything she did, and she expected the best from everyone around her. She was especially proud as her older daughter Kathy made the L A Dodgers list of all A students each year she attended San Pedro High School, and as she graduated from UC Santa Barbara and later from The University of San Francisco Law School.
She also doted on her youngest daughter Carrie and loved her creativity, dramatic skill and accomplishment in writing. How unfortunate that the disease that took her mind before her life prevented her from enjoying the chapters written by Carrie in several textbooks in her American Studies field, and oh! How she would enjoy watching Carrie receive her PhD in a few months from USC. If Dora were here for that event, this greatest Bruin fan ever would even over look the university awarding the degree.
Dora overcame much to achieve such a high level in her profession. She lost her father at a very young age; her family was poor, although as she has said, the kids didn’t know they were poor. She continued to achieve at Compton Jr. College and UCLA while working many hours a week to pay tuition and buy books. Most of you here today can attest to the excellence she brought to her profession as she attained ever increasingly responsible positions in LAUSD.
She was probably most proud of her teaching success. Many of us can remember her describing her classrooms at 99th Street School and her pride in the accomplishments of those students. She was invited once by one of those former elementary students to his swearing-in ceremony as a judge of the Superior Court. In his remarks, he thanked her for inspiring him and giving him the confidence to achieve. As a public school leader she continued to set high standards and inspiration for those with whom she worked, demanding the best for the students in South Central Los Angeles’ Regions B and C and later, here in the Harbor Area’s Region A.
One can’t help but be inspired by Dora’s positive outlook, strength and courage even in the face of tragedy when she lost her daughter Kathy to leukemia just shortly after Kathy had been appointed to a prestigious law firm in San Francisco. Only eight months later Aubrey, Dora’s husband of nearly 35 years was taken by a heart attack. Great faith, courage and strong support from family and friends kept her going through a period of much sorrow. She never wavered in her professional and personal relationships.
With great skill and compassion she continued to serve children and the community as a volunteer here in this parish where she tirelessly served the Mary Star of the Sea Bereavement Ministry as a funeral coordinator counseling grieving families. She was a founding member of the Carson Coordinating Council, and a member of the Soroptomists International, The San Pedro Lions Club and other service organizations. Dora served as a member of the San Pedro Peninsula YMCA Board of Managers. As a devoted professional educator she also belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma and participated faithfully, serving as a local chapter president and with the statewide organization.
She did everything with vigor and conviction, including support for her favorite sports teams. Dora and Dottie attended many LA Dodgers home games always arriving early enough to enjoy Dodger-dogs and watch batting practice and warm-ups before the game. Arriving early at the ballpark insured that she got full value because no matter the score, she never stayed beyond the 7th inning…to avoid the traffic. She attended most UCLA home football games as long as her health permitted and her favorite school colors were naturally blue and gold. However, most of us never really understood her great admiration for the Dallas Cowboys, except that in those days they were winners, and winners were her kind of people.
During these last years, even though her mind was shrouded in apparent darkness, she often attended the family holiday dinners. She could not express it but it was obvious that she enjoyed being there and physically she was the same beautiful Dora.
I would like to share with you two of my personal memories of Dora:
The first is a rather insignificant event, but, for one reason or another, it sticks in my mind. On a New Year’s Day sometime, I don’t know, 20 to 25 years ago it must have been because I know I was very young. We were getting ready to leave our house to go to Dora’s for our traditional family New Year’s dinner of collard greens, red beans and rice, and pork loin. I had gotten in trouble by my Dad for something (I don’t remember what) but I was crying because, as many of you in the family know, throwing a fit was something I was real good at…Anyway I left the house early and walked to Dora’s. I could do this because the Dunn’s house was only one block down and one block over from our house. Although I had long since stopped crying by the time I got there, with one look Dora knew, “Have you been crying?” I, doing my best to play the victim, answered, “yeah, Dad yelled at me.” Dora said something, offered a laugh and that brilliant smile of hers, and just like that, everything was better. I suppose that memory stays with me because although I don’t necessarily remember what Dora said, or exactly what she did, I will always remember how she made me feel.
My fondest memory of Dora is actually a rather recent one. At family meals at my parents’ house I have traditionally sat at the foot of the table; directly opposite my Father at the head. There are many advantages to sitting at the end of the table…There is a lot of elbow room – which, for a guy my size, is very important. The high chairs are always set up at the end which I love because I get to hang out with the “be-bes.” But my favorite thing about my table position is that I have a clear, unobstructed view of everyone at the table. I love to people watch. I believe that you learn more about people when you observe their behavior when they don’t necessarily know that you are watching. One of the last times Dora came to a family dinner I watched her as one of her grandchildren squeezed between the chair Dora was sitting in and the wall behind her, as the child passed I remember seeing her reach out, touch the child on the head, and smile…Why is this my fondest memory? Because at that moment I realized how strong a woman Dora is. That the disease that robbed her of her memory, could not take away what truly defined her: A love for children, a love for family, a love for us.
“She’s strong…She’s always been very strong.” Two days after Dottie offered me those words of comfort, on April 22, 2006, Dora found the strength to leave this world and enter the house of God. She has left her mark in all of us…I, for one, find comfort and security in knowing that three of the strongest people I’ve known: Kathy, Aubrey, and now Dora, are together watching over us.
Dora Ann Dunn, this remarkable woman, leaves a legacy of action, activism, courage and inspiration, built upon love for family, compassion for others and devotion to the children of LAUSD and this community. As we conclude this final celebration of a life well lived, I know that she will always remain an inspiration for our family and for many of you her former colleagues and many friends.
On behalf of Carrie Dunn-Anderson, her husband and children, Dora’s sister Dorothy Gilmore, and all of us in the family, I again thank you for joining us here to celebrate the life our friend, and beloved mother, grandmother, sister and cousin…My aunt, Dora Dunn.
____________________________
Eulogy for Dora Ann Dunn
August 13, 1932 – April 22, 2006
Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church
San Pedro, California
Good Afternoon. On behalf of Carrie, Dottie and our entire family, I would like to thank all of you for joining us today to pay respects, to remember and to celebrate the life of Dora Dunn.
My name is Mark Linscomb. Dora is my cousin…but she and my dad, Phil, and Dora’s sister Dorothy (who most of you know as Dottie) were so close, that they were brother and sisters in all except the requisite genes. A relationship mirrored by their children Carrie, David, Chris and me. So close were they, in fact, that my dad told Dora and Dottie that he was going to marry my mom …two years before he told my mom! Therefore, for all practical purposes, they are my aunts. And I am honored to have been selected to represent our family at today’s celebration of the life of my aunt, Dora Ann Dunn.
A week ago, Thursday, Dottie and I were with Dora in her room at Little Company of Mary Hospital. Dr. Capisi had just left the room after examining Dora and sharing with us a rather bleak prognosis. I remember Dottie saying to me, “She’s strong…” All I could do was nod in agreement and then Dottie reiterated, “She’s always been very strong.” How poignant and true that statement is.
Dora’s superior intellect, strong will and driving spirit manifested itself early as she was skipped a full grade at 96th Street School before she and Dottie transferred to St. Lawrence of Brendizi School in Watts, the community where Dora was raised surrounded by a large, extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Even though she was born and raised in California, she grew up in a Louisiana culture that prized family, good gumbo, red beans and rice and the Catholic faith.
Dora had high standards in everything she did, and she expected the best from everyone around her. She was especially proud as her older daughter Kathy made the L A Dodgers list of all A students each year she attended San Pedro High School, and as she graduated from UC Santa Barbara and later from The University of San Francisco Law School.
She also doted on her youngest daughter Carrie and loved her creativity, dramatic skill and accomplishment in writing. How unfortunate that the disease that took her mind before her life prevented her from enjoying the chapters written by Carrie in several textbooks in her American Studies field, and oh! How she would enjoy watching Carrie receive her PhD in a few months from USC. If Dora were here for that event, this greatest Bruin fan ever would even over look the university awarding the degree.
Dora overcame much to achieve such a high level in her profession. She lost her father at a very young age; her family was poor, although as she has said, the kids didn’t know they were poor. She continued to achieve at Compton Jr. College and UCLA while working many hours a week to pay tuition and buy books. Most of you here today can attest to the excellence she brought to her profession as she attained ever increasingly responsible positions in LAUSD.
She was probably most proud of her teaching success. Many of us can remember her describing her classrooms at 99th Street School and her pride in the accomplishments of those students. She was invited once by one of those former elementary students to his swearing-in ceremony as a judge of the Superior Court. In his remarks, he thanked her for inspiring him and giving him the confidence to achieve. As a public school leader she continued to set high standards and inspiration for those with whom she worked, demanding the best for the students in South Central Los Angeles’ Regions B and C and later, here in the Harbor Area’s Region A.
One can’t help but be inspired by Dora’s positive outlook, strength and courage even in the face of tragedy when she lost her daughter Kathy to leukemia just shortly after Kathy had been appointed to a prestigious law firm in San Francisco. Only eight months later Aubrey, Dora’s husband of nearly 35 years was taken by a heart attack. Great faith, courage and strong support from family and friends kept her going through a period of much sorrow. She never wavered in her professional and personal relationships.
With great skill and compassion she continued to serve children and the community as a volunteer here in this parish where she tirelessly served the Mary Star of the Sea Bereavement Ministry as a funeral coordinator counseling grieving families. She was a founding member of the Carson Coordinating Council, and a member of the Soroptomists International, The San Pedro Lions Club and other service organizations. Dora served as a member of the San Pedro Peninsula YMCA Board of Managers. As a devoted professional educator she also belonged to Delta Kappa Gamma and participated faithfully, serving as a local chapter president and with the statewide organization.
She did everything with vigor and conviction, including support for her favorite sports teams. Dora and Dottie attended many LA Dodgers home games always arriving early enough to enjoy Dodger-dogs and watch batting practice and warm-ups before the game. Arriving early at the ballpark insured that she got full value because no matter the score, she never stayed beyond the 7th inning…to avoid the traffic. She attended most UCLA home football games as long as her health permitted and her favorite school colors were naturally blue and gold. However, most of us never really understood her great admiration for the Dallas Cowboys, except that in those days they were winners, and winners were her kind of people.
During these last years, even though her mind was shrouded in apparent darkness, she often attended the family holiday dinners. She could not express it but it was obvious that she enjoyed being there and physically she was the same beautiful Dora.
I would like to share with you two of my personal memories of Dora:
The first is a rather insignificant event, but, for one reason or another, it sticks in my mind. On a New Year’s Day sometime, I don’t know, 20 to 25 years ago it must have been because I know I was very young. We were getting ready to leave our house to go to Dora’s for our traditional family New Year’s dinner of collard greens, red beans and rice, and pork loin. I had gotten in trouble by my Dad for something (I don’t remember what) but I was crying because, as many of you in the family know, throwing a fit was something I was real good at…Anyway I left the house early and walked to Dora’s. I could do this because the Dunn’s house was only one block down and one block over from our house. Although I had long since stopped crying by the time I got there, with one look Dora knew, “Have you been crying?” I, doing my best to play the victim, answered, “yeah, Dad yelled at me.” Dora said something, offered a laugh and that brilliant smile of hers, and just like that, everything was better. I suppose that memory stays with me because although I don’t necessarily remember what Dora said, or exactly what she did, I will always remember how she made me feel.
My fondest memory of Dora is actually a rather recent one. At family meals at my parents’ house I have traditionally sat at the foot of the table; directly opposite my Father at the head. There are many advantages to sitting at the end of the table…There is a lot of elbow room – which, for a guy my size, is very important. The high chairs are always set up at the end which I love because I get to hang out with the “be-bes.” But my favorite thing about my table position is that I have a clear, unobstructed view of everyone at the table. I love to people watch. I believe that you learn more about people when you observe their behavior when they don’t necessarily know that you are watching. One of the last times Dora came to a family dinner I watched her as one of her grandchildren squeezed between the chair Dora was sitting in and the wall behind her, as the child passed I remember seeing her reach out, touch the child on the head, and smile…Why is this my fondest memory? Because at that moment I realized how strong a woman Dora is. That the disease that robbed her of her memory, could not take away what truly defined her: A love for children, a love for family, a love for us.
“She’s strong…She’s always been very strong.” Two days after Dottie offered me those words of comfort, on April 22, 2006, Dora found the strength to leave this world and enter the house of God. She has left her mark in all of us…I, for one, find comfort and security in knowing that three of the strongest people I’ve known: Kathy, Aubrey, and now Dora, are together watching over us.
Dora Ann Dunn, this remarkable woman, leaves a legacy of action, activism, courage and inspiration, built upon love for family, compassion for others and devotion to the children of LAUSD and this community. As we conclude this final celebration of a life well lived, I know that she will always remain an inspiration for our family and for many of you her former colleagues and many friends.
On behalf of Carrie Dunn-Anderson, her husband and children, Dora’s sister Dorothy Gilmore, and all of us in the family, I again thank you for joining us here to celebrate the life our friend, and beloved mother, grandmother, sister and cousin…My aunt, Dora Dunn.
