Our Mother, Dorothy Condon, was an amazing lady and an incredible parent. She was like June Cleaver of the “Leave It to Beaver” show, except she didn’t wear pearls while cooking. Instead, she wore an apron like many mothers of her era. Like June Cleaver, her family came first. She ensured we were happy, healthy and safe, and, by following her example, equipped to do well in the world. Mother was a true lady and had what some may call “old-fashioned values”. She spoke “proper English”; didn’t swear, or tell off-color jokes. But she wasn‘t prudish either. If she did hear something a bit risqué, she’d roll her eyes, show an impish grin, and exclaim “How scandalous!” She would listen to what we had to say, and not interrupt while we were speaking. She would only give her opinion or advice when asked. Mother had perfect handwriting, both in cursive and print. Unfortunately, none of us inherited this trait. Mother tried to teach us perfect grammar, and in a way, it became a game. If we’d say “Me and my friend are going shopping”, she’d reply “My friend and I are going shopping”. We would come back with “Oh, you’re going too?” We’d laugh, but the lesson was learned. She didn’t smoke, and only drank wine on rare occasions. She was fashionable, and had great taste in clothing. She wore stylish, but modest clothing, and used very little make-up. She always wore lipstick, because, as she explained “you can’t speak or eat without putting on your lips!” Her motto was “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. She was non-judgmental, and accepted people for the way they were. While she may not have approved of someone’s actions, she would love them just the same. She welcomed everyone into her life and never met a stranger. Mother believed in punishing us when we misbehaved, but not how you would think. She didn’t spank us, nor did she ground us. For minor offenses, we were sent to our rooms. This wasn’t so bad, as there was plenty there to keep us occupied. The dreaded punishment was her proclaiming “I’m so disappointed!” To this day, we fear hearing these words. Yet it taught us the important lesson: Do not do anything that may disappoint those you love. Mother was always upbeat, with a positive attitude. When you’d enter a room, her face would light up, she’d give you a big smile, and reach out to take your hand or give you a hug. She’d make you feel as if you were the most important person in her life. Mother liked all styles of music, and her favorite singer was Nat King Cole. Mother would be washing dishes or dusting the house, and suddenly break into song with “Someone’s in the Kitchen with Dinah” or “She’ll be Coming ‘Round the Mountain”. It wasn’t long before we knew by heart the “Song of the Seabees”, or even the Paschal High School fight song. Many nights, after tucking us into bed, she would read us a story, and then sing us to sleep. While sometimes she sang traditional lullabies, more often she’d sing songs that were popular from her youth. Her favorites included “The White Cliffs of Dover” and “A Long Long Trail A-Winding”. Mother took piano lessons when she was a child, and encouraged us to play musical instruments as well. We enrolled in piano and violin lessons in elementary school, and learned to play fairly well. Mother & Daddy were troopers, listening to us practice, attending every recital and performance, and encouraging us with praise for a performance well-done. Along with music, Mother liked to dance. When the urge hit her, she’d spin us around the living room, teaching us how to square dance or brushing us up on our waltz. She also knew how to tap dance, and we still remember her instructions: “Hop, shuffle, step”. Carol had a talent for dancing much like Mother, but she preferred ballet. Mother and Daddy made sure she had the funds and support needed for lessons, and Carol excelled. When Lynne was in her teens, Mother signed Lynne & herself up for hula dance lessons. When the course was complete, they joined their classmates in performing for a local Senior Citizens Center. Mother loved animals of all kinds. She let us bring home a variety of pets, including crawdads, horned toads, lizards and turtles. And of course, cats and dogs. She would put pecans out in the yard for the squirrels, and bread for the birds. She petted all the cats in the neighborhood, and Daddy was always concerned she would bring them home to stay. She watched & fed the hummingbirds when we vacationed in New Mexico. She liked to visit the zoo, the stock show, and Lynne’s house, where she could hold and feed the chickens and ducks. She especially enjoyed her grandchildren, spoiling them as only a grandmother can do. She took them to the zoo and museums, bought them things they didn’t need but wanted, and took them on trips across the country. She went to all of their band performances and graduations, shuttled them to appointments, and attended all their sports activities. Mother also enjoyed everything to do with the outdoors. She played tennis with Brian, camped with the family and the Girl Scouts, and went sailing with her friend George Staples. She enjoyed visiting the Pender’s farm, going fishing, and target shooting. She and Daddy took long drives through the country, looking for wild animals and enjoying the view. She was very knowledgeable about wildflowers, and could identify most by name. She liked to walk, and could be found roaming the neighborhood, regardless of the weather. Mother had a number of health issues throughout her life, and she dealt with them with courage. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she’d turn it into a learning experience. Our family probably knows more about knee replacement, arthritis, sarcoidosis, cancer and pain management than we ever wanted to know. When asked if having breast cancer scared her, she replied “not particularly”. There are many more memories of Mother, and we hold them near and dear to our heart. We will always love her, and already miss her presence. But as Brian says “You are not truly gone as long as there is someone left to remember you. “ Mother carried herself with grace and style. She touched the lives of so many people with her joy, humor, and happiness. She never forgot her title of Posture Queen, so we’re certain that when she arrived at the Pearly Gates, she told St. Peter to “sit up straight and keep your elbows off the table” before entering heaven.