I remember when u babysat for me. I have great memories of the time we shared.

Some of my memories of Dorothy  are when I was about 14, so Dorothy was about 27. Although at that point of our lives, we were sort of of different generations, I always remember Dorothy being nearby and of good cheer. Since she was close to my sister Ida, I would see here often, and I remember parlor games that we would play on holidays, typically initiated by Dorothy.  When I was a sophomore in college, I had an assignment in speech class to write (and speak!) a paper emphasizing the “th” sound (no surprise there!, as we all grew up in Brooklyn). I remember Dorothy, my sister Ida, and I having fun brainstorming this, and coming up with such fare as “Those thieving thespians that thoughtlessly thought that their thrifty theater would help them thrive…"   Dorothy loved word games!

Fast forward many years, to 1995. Dorothy was visiting from California. My cousin Bill and I invited Dorothy to a wonderful dinner at Tomasso’s on 86th Street in Brooklyn. Well, Dorothy was beside herself and totally thrilled at being taken to dinner by her two “baby cousins”. 

A year or two later, Bill and I decided to send Dorothy some “pinnulata” (as our families called it, but as is much more commonly referred to as “strufoli”. It’s a great Christmas specialty (basically honey balls with citrus peels and sprinkles) that we knew would bring Dorothy right back to childhood Christmas memories in Brooklyn.  She was so appreciative of it, and relished the pinnulata AND the memories!

Rest in peace, sweet Dorothy.  I will be miss you and cherish you always.

My favorite memory of my Auteri Mom was the time when the Auteri family came over to my house for a Thanksgiving dinner.   Joyce and I rented a huge round table and put it in our dance room for all the family to enjoy each other and give thanks.  We had tons of fixins with a huge spread of food.   As Joyce and her cousins were finishing the final prep for dinner, Mom and I went out back on the porch swing, we rocked on that swing and talked long and hard. We talked about much but it came down to her telling me she wanted Joyce and I to be happy together.    It was then I knew then she wanted me in the family.   I'll miss her...