a video tribute to my Do

Here is a beautiful picture video tribute to my Do that was played at the wake. It shows pictures through the course of her life.

Click here to watch it on youtube

Dorothy Thaller Schultz

I know I have yet again become lazy in my postings to this blog. It is as though I hardly have time to come up for air in my course of study. However, I must take this moment to share my love for a beautiful life that has recently passed away from us.

My grandmother, Dorothy Schultz:

Dorothy T. (Thaller) Schultz

(written by my mother, Mary Schultz)

DOROTHY T. (THALLER) SCHULTZ, 90, died on September 28, 2008 in a circle of care like many she had drawn around all the stages of her life.

After 10 years of progressive illness, Dorothy came to nursing home at St. Dominic Village for the last weeks of her life. It was just steps from the office where she had served as School Health Coordinator for the Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston (1975-1982) and just around the corner from the Dominican Sister's retirement/ rehabilitation center, initiated with nursing services and policies established by her (1972-1975).

Born the 13Th child of immigrant parents farmers from Alsace-Lorraine, Dorothy grew up as a farm girl, surrounded by family in central Illinois. She took up the profession of nursing in the footsteps of a beloved doctor who'd become her mentor after both parents died. After signing on as an Army Nurse in WWII, she met and married Colonel Charlie Schultz who brought her home to the rest of her life in Texas. Faith and family were Keystones to the life of Dorothy Schultz. Though the values were immovable, they could be demonstrated through gentle compassion, tough determination or playful camaraderie.

Husband Charles often referred to Dorothy as "an activist"- a term which may have described her constant energy in work and volunteer projects, usually for the Church; or maybe her progressive politics which was in contrast to his own; or perhaps to Dorothy's propensity to step in and take care of any family member or friend in need. Dorothy Schultz's creative contribution to children and Church began when her three young children were primary students at parochial school in San Antonio. Form 1956-1958 she established a kindergarten to support the mission of the Presentation Sisters. The kindergarten continues to this day. While living with the family in San Antonio, Dorothy also taught both full time and substitute in the parochial school; a work she continued at Mount Carmel grade school after the family moved to Houston in 1963. She was director of religious education at Mount Carmel (1966-1969) and Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral (1971-1974)

Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband Charles Schultz (d. 1994) and all of her sisters and brothers. But the gift of her life will live on with gratitude and love in the lives of her three children, Mary Emily Schultz, Charles T. Schultz and Carol J.S. Coulston with husband Robert; three grandchildren, Joseph Coulston, Andy Coulston with wife Sae, and Emily Lawson; as well as two great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2008 from 5- 7 p.m. with a prayer services at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Park East Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 3, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 11011 Hall Rd., Houston, TX 77089. Interment will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Columbus, TX. The family is requesting that you sign the guest registry on line at www. Houston Chronicle.com. In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Dominican Sisters of Houston, 6501 Almeda, and Houston, TX 77021.

To sign the guest book, click here.