Dorothy Ann Jesik Redabaugh

Our beloved, Dorothy Ann Jesik Redabaugh went home to be with Jesus, Thursday, May 7 at 4:30 MDT. This is a difficult time for everyone in her family because there is a Dorothy shaped hole in all our hearts right now. Born July 9, 1923. And she poured a lot of living into those years and even more evident, lots of love into the lives of those of us who are missing her so deeply right now. Mom was gracious, kind, patient, and as selfless a human being that most of us will ever know. She was only 39 years old when our Dad, Harold, was killed in a tragic auto accident, but Mom powered up and found a way to raise six rambunctious children on her own. She has always been strong beyond what most of us can imagine. Her self-sacrificial attitude energized her with the grace to give of herself to her family, her extended family, and her church despite this devastating blow. As with so many tragedies, people can use them to be empowered with supernatural will and strength or allow it to take them out completely. My mom was empowered. She had a memory that was like a steal trap. We have never known someone who was as organized. She was the most thoughtful human any of us have known. One of her favorite shopping trips was to get birthday cards for her loved ones. She would buy them in bulk, often spending $100’s to meet the needs of her thoughtfulness. Then she would prepare a message and say a prayer for each recipient, often, many months in advance of that person’s birthday. She would confess that this was an important way for her to keep those she cared about the most in the front of her mind. And those cards always arrived in advance of the celebration day. Always, with a beautiful handwritten note and money she really couldn’t afford to give away. Dorothy saw value in what she had and did not spend her time in angst for wanting better. It is a tribute to why $2 would stretch for $20. She was able to accomplish so much financially, despite having so few resources. This certainly explains why she was so effective as a bookkeeper (her profession when she started working with kids at home). And if someone was in need, she was there for them. She could get angry without being enraged, was quick to forgive and always available for each of us to console, advise, or simply to listen and empathize with our needs; she found a way to make whoever she was with the force and humility of her love. She was there for all of us, not just during childhood, but throughout our lives. There are few people who was as determined or who worked as hard as she did. She was also an extremely patient teacher. I remember how thoroughly she taught each of us simple life skills that have served us well into our adult lives – like sewing, cooking, ironing clothes, and the proper way to clean anything, everything. She had an enormous sense of humor, was quick-witted, a card shark, a puzzle-making master, and someone who had energy to spare. She was always one who looked 15 to 20 years younger than her actual age. Certainly, that comes from good genetics, but for Dorothy it was also that her energy and zest for life was that of someone much younger. She leaves a legacy of family that includes 6 children (Veronica, daughter, and Mark Poss; Diane, daughter and Michael Salamon; Matthew, son and Rose Redabaugh; David, son and Michelle Redabaugh; Damian Redabaugh, son; Daniel, son and Linda Redabaugh) 9 grandchildren (Brian, grandson and Jessica Soto-Solomich; Eileen, granddaughter and Timothy Bayens; Christine, granddaughter and Yancy Trujillo; Kerri, granddaughter and Saul Fernadez; Kathleen, granddaughter and John Wicks; Nathan, grandson and Jahayra Redabaugh; Leeann, granddaughter and Bobby Howard; and Dori Jo Redabaugh, granddaughter) and 9 great-grandchildren (Ashley and Nicolas Solomich; Gavin Fernandez; Zach and Rylie Bayens; Ellie and Lucille Wicks; Leon and Armand Howard) and 1 step grandson (Ivano Donatelli) and 2 step great-grandchildren (Tarryn and Brent Trujillo). Yet, her greatest legacy is that of being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Dorothy exemplified prayer. It was an especially important part of how she kept hope, love, and patience about her through the struggles we all face in this life. Part of her daily routine was the praying of the Rosary. My Dad was a singer. Not a shower performer, but a college educated, trained professional who not only sang in community theatre musicals, but as a radio and TV announcer had a rather unique program where he sang on the air. This was certainly one of the attractive qualities that made it easy for my Mom to fall in love with Harold. On the day she went home, she had the privilege of being serenaded through one of the CD’s of Daddy’s music. For our brother who was at her bedside he described her passing this way: “As she listened, comfort and peace came over her as she was able to let go of this life.” Then Dorothy entered the next life, in the arms of her Savior and afterward into her Harold’s arms as he finished his serenade. When the six of us kids were younger and all at home, we always ended our evening before bedtime with something that became a requirement from Mom. I think it helped us keep our love for each other in front of whatever differences or squabbles we might have dealt with that day. We would say to each other and to Mom, “Good night, pleasant dreams, I love you”. This nightly greeting is etched on Mom’s gravestone. And it is a fitting goodbye to the one we all loved so much: Good night, Mom. Pleasant dreams. We love you!” “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 The celebration of Dorothy's life will be scheduled at a future date, due to the current restrictions on gathering and travel. The family would like to extend a special thank you to The Sunny Vista, Colorado Springs staff and Deb from Hospice for the care and love they provided at the end of Dorothy's life.

Dorothy Ann Jesik Redabaugh

July 9, 1923 - May 7, 2020