Alberta Mary Dodeward

Alberta Dodeward, 99 of Port Orchard died October 5th surrounded in the love of her family.
She was born March 1, 1917 in Armour, South Dakota. She was one of 11 children. Her father died when she was a teenager. She learned the value of family and how working together made you stronger and gave you the strength to survive.

She married the love of her life, George when she was 20. They had 7 children. She said that they didn't plan any of them but wouldn't give any of them back. He worked in construction and they moved around the country from 1938 to 1943. From 1943 until 1950 they lived in South Dakota. In 1950 they moved to Port Orchard, Washington. She was an excellent cook and could come up with a delicious meal whether it was for 2 or 22. No one ever walked away from her table hungry or unsatisfied. She was an excellent seamstress and made many of their clothes including wedding and bridesmaid dresses. She had wanted to be a beautician and was very skilled at cutting and styling hair. There are no “in-laws” in her family. When you married one of her children you became her son or daughter. Their extended family became her family. Many of the friend’s who came to her home with one of her children, came to call her mom. It never mattered what was their walk in life. In her home they knew they were welcome and cared about. Everyone who knew her knew what it meant to be loved. Her contributions to the support and well being of her family, was her life mission and highest of callings.

She wasn't really a sports fan but she married a man who was. George was a baseball coach for 20 years (their sons were 10 years apart). She would joke about how during the summer it didn't matter what she cooked (even a platter full of baseballs) because we were always in a hurry and didn't know what we were eating anyway. Even though it wasn't her thing, she was there working in the concession stands and supporting and cheering them on. Even her youngest daughter who insisted on playing softball, she was there in the stands cheering her on, despite her wish she be more of a lady.

She loved music and enjoyed and was very proud and encouraging of her kid’s talents. (She always said she had none and couldn't care a tune in a bucket. On her bucket list was to play the harp when she got to heaven). She went to Lunetta's band and orchestra performances. She attended Bill and Mary's choir performances and to Mary's musicals and operas. She was probably the proudest Mother in the audience.

She really wasn't an outdoor person. Her husband called her "his houseplant." For the sake of her family she endured family camping excursions. Her comment was “you work hard all your life for the comforts of home and then choose to go out and endure the elements without them”…why. Living in Washington, many of our outings included rain. Many of our outings meant sleeping in a tent. (We later moved up to a camper and then trailer). On one of our tent adventures my dad's air mattress kept going flat. Mom, being the dutiful wife, took out her teeth and put them by her pillows so she could blow it up for him. When she reached for her teeth she found a SLUG instead and immediately realized her mistake. Her husband made the big mistake of laughing. Guess who blew up the air mattress from then on!

The family moved to Port Orchard in 1950 and became members of Saint Gabriel's parish. She was a member of the Altar Society and did the alter linens for years. She often told Fr. Donahue that if he wasn't careful she was starch his vestments so much that he wouldn't be able to genuflect. She converted to Catholicism as an adult after she was married and accepted it fully and committed to raising her children in the faith. If one of us kids didn't behave in church we received a painful pinch. One time after the kids were adults, Bill was sitting next to her and she put her hand on his knee. He jumped remembering those pinches from the past. All of us, including mom laughed that day in church because we all knew why he jumped. We all remembered those pinches.

Alberta and her sister Irene were very close and spent a lot of time together. They married men from the same area who knew each other. They worked in construction and traveled around the US in very small trailers. It was a very close knit group and all remained great friends. Irene and her husband John and their kids also moved to Washington. Irene’s children and most of her nieces and nephews called Alberta, Auntie B. All of her nieces and nephew have stayed in touch with her even after their parents were gone. They all loved her and her cinnamon rolls. After retirement Alberta, George and Irene and Johnny spent time together going shopping and/or lunch together. Irene made the comment after mom's death that she had her in her life for 96 years. They were the best of friends as well as sisters.

Her grandson Carl and great grandsons Will and John would tell her she was going to live until she was 100. (They like sitting with her and introducing her to their favorite junk foods). She almost made it. Her grandson Robert told his mother, Ladonna "She's a tough old broad and she will probably outlive you". She would laugh at that because Ladonna was the worrier. Alberta wasn't. If she said it once she said it a thousand times "Don't worry about it" and Ladonna would tell her “that someone had to”. When Carl left for college a few weeks ago, she told Carl and his parents, “don’t worry, put him in my hands now. I’m joining daddy as his guardian angels.”
Just weeks before she died she had the opportunity to meet and talk to her eldest grandson, Michael. It was one of her happiest days at the end of her life. She talked to her oldest daughter, Audrey after talking to Michael. Audrey came back into her life as an adult and she formed a wonderful and loving relationship with Audrey and her daughter Jeannie. She told Audrey "I feel so blessed. I not only reunited with a wonderful daughter and granddaughter but now also with a marvelous grandson, Michael and three more great grand children.

She treasured the blanket her great granddaughter Brianna made her for her 90th birthday. She marveled at the workmanship in the quilt that Laura and Sarah gave her for Christmas. She was thrilled that she lived long enough to know her youngest great grand children, Cooper and Emma. Alberta was so proud that her granddaughter, Linda has such a close relationship and walk of faith with the Catholic Church. She had so many grandchildren and great grandchildren and she loved each and every one of them with all her heart.

She was an optimist, who believed in the power of laughter. She was not only a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt but a wonderful friend to all who had the privilege to know her. As a mother of 8, you know she had a busy schedule but she always made time when you needed her. She had a long and full life. Irene’s husband Johnny always said “growing old wasn't for wimps” and. that the “Golden Years” were often tarnished… mom agreed.

She fought 3 kinds of cancer, several bouts of pneumonia, diverticulitis that made a perforation into her stomach. We were told on 3 different occasions that she probably wouldn't be coming home. Her primary doctor, Ginny Sugimoto told us “they don't know your mother”. It doesn't seem fair that after all of these battles it was a broken hip that she couldn't fight. One of the hardest things Alberta ever had to endure was the death of her oldest son, Bill. He died 2 years ago. His wife Vicki was so gracious and sent his ashes to her. It was her wish to have his ashes put in the coffin with her and they will lay in rest together. She would often tell us "Life's not fair but God is Good".

Alberta was not afraid of dying but wasn't looking forward to the journey to get there. Many times in her life, she didn't have an easy journey. The last 3 months being some of the hardest physically and emotionally. That journey is now complete. Her life was a life lived to the fullest. A happy marriage, a wonderful family and a loving home were just some of the great things she accomplished. With so many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, her legacy will certainly live on.

Alberta is now finally pain free, at peace and reunited with the loved ones who have gone before her. Alberta and George are in each other’s arms, smiling down on us, telling us not to worry, love each other. We are together in the presence of God in Heaven and will be waiting to welcome you all home in God’s time. It is fitting that the last words she spoke here on earth are "I love you too".