Dorothy Francis Weissling

"We need, in love, to practice only this: letting each other go. For holding on comes easily; we do not need to learn it.". - Rainer Maria Rilke Dorothy Francis Weissling, our mother, beloved partner, and keystone of our family, passed away peacefully, at Westover Hills Rehabilitation Center in San Antonio on February 22, at the age of 87. Dorothy was born April 30, 1924, in the small Texas Hill Country community of Lometa, the third and youngest child of James Hugh Crouch and Ethel Lee McLean Crouch. She spent part of her childhood years in Mertzon, Texas, where her father was an active rancher and horse trainer, but later returned to Lometa, where she graduated from high school in 1941. With financial help from her two brothers, J.H. Jr. and Keith, she attended Texas Tech University for her freshman year. However, the stress of being away from home, coupled with the unexpected death of her mother, Ethel, in 1940, drew her away from her college dreams. In the early 1950's, Dorothy took up residence in Midland, Texas, where she soon met the love of her life, Paul W. Weissling, an aspiring geologist recently transplanted to West Texas from his home state of Ohio. The couple were married in Midland in 1953 and subsequently brought 3 boys into the world. Never short on compassion and interest in the welfare of others, Dorothy made friends easily. She was an active volunteer in her church and community, most notably delivering meals to home-bound elderly as part of the Meals on Wheels program. Dorothy had an artistic flair, adept at play piano by ear; it was almost impossible to stump her with a song request; and considerably talented as well with the water-color brush. Her artistry was also clearly evident in her love for home decorating and gardening. She could also wield a formidable pipe-wrench if called upon. Dorothy dipped often into her well of patience, fortitude, resolve, and creativity to guide and nurture a marriage of 59 years, while raising her boys to aspire to successful careers as engineers and scientists, husbands and fathers. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Paul; her three sons, Dan, Blake, and Kent; her daughters-in-law, Debi, Annie, and Tracey; her nine grandchildren and spouses, Stephen (Leticia), Michael (Stevie), Lara (Carlos), Maui, Leilani, Eric, Alan, Sean, and Jeff; and one great-grandson due for arrival in June. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Senior Services of Midland (www.seniorservicesmidland.org), would be an appropriate and appreciated way to celebrate her love for life and service to others. Dorothy's life will be celebrated in a small family Memorial Service at Castle Ridge Mortuary, on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at 2:30 p.m., in San Antonio, with Interment to follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.