Dorothy Estes

Remembering Dorothy and her sweet family.

Those of us now mourning the loss of Dorothy Estes from the terra firma of our lives find our memories wandering through a convergence of years, milestones and thoughts of an extraordinary woman. Sorrow and joy give rise to a look back at time spent in her care and to all we were able to achieve after she sent us out in to the world. So profound was her influence on our lives directly and indirectly some of us could, with a smile, view our lives in terms of Before Dorothy and After...

Sometimes a special perk of friendships is getting to meet their wonderful parents. And so it was with my high school friend, Sharon. I remember lots and lots of laughter in the Estes home. I believe Dorothy had a special gift of really being able to see the true essence of people, and embracing what she saw in them. How lucky am I to have been seen by her!
Decades later, we re-met at the same facility where my mom was living. We picked up right where we left off. And I don't see that...

I was Ms. Estes' student teacher at Poly High in Fall of 1964. She entrusted her classes to me almost the first week and was a wonderful mentor. I taught for 20 years in Ft. Worth, Port Arthur, and Amarillo. She was an inspiration and urged me to be in charge from the beginning. I am grateful to have known her and to have learned from her. Joanna Burkett Ingram, Fort Worth.

Dorothy, my mother passed away last month - and you were my Mom away from home during college. You are a legend and I don't know where I or many of your other "kids" would be without your love and guidance. Rest in peace.

A lady of courage, compassion, always ready with a smile, a hug and a word of praise. You will truly be missed.

Dear Estes Family,

We are not related, but we share a beloved family member. My heart is with you and I send you love and strength and grieve the loss of your mother, grandmother, great grandmother, auntie, or cousin who was also, "my beloved Dorothy."

You undoubtedly knew of her "other family," she created in collaboration with John Dycus at The Shorthorn student newspaper for The University of Texas at Arlington, as we in that family monopolized so much of her waking life...