Obituary
Dorothy Ann Parkhill, 85, of Fort Myers, passed away September 03, 2021, at Life Care in Estero, FL. She was born November 06, 1935 in Chicago, IL. Dorothy had worked as a billing clerk for the telephone company numerous years prior to her retirement. She enjoyed bowling and swimming. Surviving are, her sons, Martin (Michaelene) Nash of Fort Myers, FL., Phillip (Shelia) Nash of LaGrange, IL., Daniel (Sandra) Nash of Orland Park, IL., Merlin (Angela) Parkhill of Plainfield, IL., and Lawrence (Sarah) Parkhill of Chicago, IL.; along with 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Additional announcement information is forthcoming from the family. Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society, Fort Myers, assisted with arrangements.
Everyday my Mom looks at this photo taken on Christmas Eve a few years ago, of her and Aunt Dorothy, and she says,
"I really miss Dorothy, I can't believe she is gone. We had a lot of fun together. We really look like sisters in that photo, look how happy we are!"
I say, "You are sisters Mom, I miss her too!", Aunt Dorothy was always a warm & loving person, she's was like a
second Mom to me, I miss her and will never forget her. Love you Aunt Dorothy!
Love you all, Kevin and Laura
Betty's Birthday 2009
Dad & Aunt Dorothy's Birthday
Many of my childhood memories involve grandma. From sleepovers at her house to family trips to Kentucky lake and, of course, going to her lake house in Indiana. I remember whenever my sister and I would sleepover I would ask her to teach me how to play ping pong and I don’t think there was ever a time she said no!
I always looked forward to going to her lake house not just because I knew we would be boating or swimming, but because I knew we were going to be getting some of Grandma’s tacos, sweet corn, and what I always and still refer to as “Grandma eggs”. Yum! But I think what I loved most when at her lake house was when everyone would just get into the lake, float on their life belts and talk.
We always had fun when we were with Grandma. She was full of life, witty and admirable. Whenever we would visit she was arms opened wide, ready to give you a big hug. Something that I always looked forward to and will always miss. She is one of a kind and will always hold a special place in my heart. Love you Gram!
Years later she remarried to another widower Walt Parkhill who also had sons Merle and Larry. She blended two families into one, now she had five sons and I had four brothers. It wasn't easy putting two families together it took time but we got there...48 yrs. now.
She loved to go bowling and did that up until about two years before she passed, that was great to have that social interaction that late in life! Mom was kind, generous and funny and (love talking on the phone... not really, most times if you were lucky the conversation lasted about a minute and a half, longer talks happened now and then. LOL! )
At the end she just wanted to make sure everyone was ok and all her bills were paid.
LOVE you, MISS you Mom / Gramma "D" Mickey/Marty Hillary (Dan), Ethan (Kayla) and Gracie the pooch!
My mom was a wonderful person and thought more of others than herself. She always wanted to make sure her boys and their families were doing well. I used to call her every Saturday at 11am and when I called after 11:15 she would wonder if everything was ok. She always asked how Sandy and the boys were doing, but never asked how I was which was very humorous to me. She loved her bowling and spending time at her lake house with her family, especially her brothers and sisters. One of the craziest times was when we had 18 people staying for a weekend with 12 people sleeping on the living room floor. Remember, only one bathroom. She loved the family gatherings, except when all the kids jumped off the neighbors roof and I got blamed for it - not Phil. That was one of the rare times she was mad. I always found my mom to have incredible strength and fortitude raising 3 boys on her own until she remarried. I love you mom and I miss you! I’ve got to go prepare for my 11am call. Thanks for everything Mom! I will post more later as things come to mind.
This is the first time she met her great granddaughter, Amelia. She was very comfortable having Great Grandma D holding her. My mom was a special lady.
This was one of those great moments my mom enjoyed. The was Thanksgiving of 2019 at my house. My mom was not one to show her feelings very often, but she loved this day spending time with some of her grandchildren. That day was one of the biggest hugs I ever got from my mom.
We gave the wall hanging of Derrick and Trevor to my mom to suck up to her and make Phil mad. My mom loved it and it was very effective to upset Phil.
This was our mom’s first day in Florida at Discovery Village. She was particularly outgoing and saying hello to all the residents to make new friends. It was amazing to see her so jovial and engaging. Unfortunately, some of the other residents were not as friendly as my mom, but she made it work. She couldn’t hear too well anymore and she would hide her hearing aids from the nurses and then forgot where she hid them. Marty had to go find them.
This was a fun moment for my mom as you can see. The weather was beautiful as my mom watched Marty putt and drink several Miller Lites. The beer was free to residents and guests that day and his putting improved immensely.
This was a nice time taking her to the beach and partying with hers boys. Phil was taking the picture. We enjoyed this day together. Marty and Mickey did an amazing job taking care of our mom during the time she was a Floridian!
One of her happier moments at the end!
Karen Ostrowski Hrubes