It’s hard to decide which of the chapters in Dee’s nearly 101-year life had the greatest impact on her. While she’s now a memory care resident at Vista Prairie at River Heights in South St. Paul, MN, she can vividly recall details of three key chapters: her family, her fervor for music, and her faith.
Family -- Dee and her first husband Burt had five girls and two boys, with the oldest child now 78. During World War II Burt enlisted with the Seabees, part of the Navy, building airfields, bridges and other big construction projects, often amid combat. “That’s what he loved,” Dee recalls, thankful that he came home safe.
Dee remarried after Burt died in 1963. That union produced a daughter who is now 55. The children and grandchildren visit her often. “They all have their turns,” she says.
Fervor – Dee took after her father, a professional musician, to pursue her own musical passion as an accomplished pianist and organist. She was a frequent entertainer for more than 20 years, with West St. Paul’s Southview Country Club being one of her favorite venues.
Burt was not thrilled with Dee being gone at night for her playing engagements, “He thought I should be home,” Dee recalls. “I just said ‘I love doing this. You went into the Seabees because you loved the Seabees, and that’s the way I feel about my music,’ and he didn’t make a fuss after that.”
She played by ear, never using sheet music, “I enjoyed every minute,” she says, with songs like It Had To Be You and All Of You some of the regulars in her repertoire.
Faith – “I was not overly religious, but I do have a strong faith,” Dee reflects. “I just prayed for everything.”
The Catholic Eucharist is still an important part of her life even though it’s most often delivered to her. Faith has been central since she attended Catholic grade school and high school. It was so important to Dee’s parents for her to attend St. Francis de Sales School on West Seventh Street that she lived with her aunt during the school-week and came home on weekends.
Dee looks forward to playing a keyboard at River Heights, which offers 16 memory care suites in addition to 44 assisted living apartments. Click here for the River Heights brochure - featuring Dee on the cover, or call Michael at 651-326-6502 to learn more about River Heights. He’ll be happy to give you a tour.