Today's Golden age portrait is of beautiful Dorothy, who turns 84 this year. Dorothy was born in Crown st Women's hospital, & was one of 8 having 1 sister & 6 brothers. At around age 8, Dorothy was sent to an orphanage by her parents. It is believed this was done to keep her " safe" from other family members. She grew up there until around 16 years old. Dorothy recalls it being a very tough time growing up with the Catholic Nuns,who very overly strict with the girls & didn't allow them any childhood fun times. Dorothy became a Nanny at age 17. One of the children she cared for was named Leugene. & she decided that when she got married, she would like to have three daughters of her own, & give them french names.. Leugene, Michelle, & Charmaine.. (Dorothy, did go on to have a daughter, which she named Leugene.. but followed by that was two sons named Kenneth, & Darrell.. ) Dorothy met her first husband in George street Sydney. Originally Dorothy had been seeing his friend Max, but once Dorothy & Darrell met, they soon fell for each other. Darrell was in the army reserves, & his family lived in Ballina & had a banana farm. They married when Dorothy was 19. Dorothy made her own wedding dress & veil, and wore it white gloves. She also did all the catering for the reception. Dorothy went on to make all the clothing for her children. Especially dresses for Leugene. Leugene remembers her Mum handmade, & smocked a bedspread, pillowcase, & curtains all to match in pink & white gingham. Dorothy was known as an amazing cook.. sadly age limits her time in the kitchen these days. Dorothy recalls the story of her first pregnancy, & how her husband Darrell went through the whole 8 months of morning sickness with her.. She said she was over the toilet, while he was over the sink.. He even collapsed in the cane fields where he was working & said to his buddies.. "My wife is having our baby" it turned out he was right!Throughout her adult years Dorothy worked at Inghams chickens doing night shift. It was tough as she had to miss the kids school events as she needed to sleep in the day to return to work at night. Despite the good years, their relationship became turbulent, & eventually Dorothy & Darrell separated. Dorothy still maintains he was her one true love. Sadly Dorothy lost her middle child Kenneth, at age 54. She said the pain of the loss will never leave her. & says no Mother should ever have to bury her child, no matter what age. The Royal Doulton rose she holds in one of the images, was a gift he bought her when he was a teenager. Dorothy is still sharp as a tack, & can recall all the birth dates of her children, 5 grandchildren, & 7 great grandchildren, (she has an 8th on the way.) Dorothy now lives with her daughter, she still enjoys making things & has claimed Leugene's craft room as her own. Leugene says that her Mum has alaways taken pride in her appearance & looking presentable. Even when money wasn't readily available. Even at this age, she always goes out with everything matching.. Shoes, bag, accessories.
