Aunt Louise
by Pam Broach Peck (niece)
How do I describe my favorite red-haired aunt?
The dancer. Aunt Louise loved to dance and she literally danced through life for 9 decades. She loved it all -- from ballroom to line dancing. And when she could no longer turn and spin, she enjoyed the music and watching others who still could every Thursday at the Plano Senior Center.
The hostess. Growing up, there were always big family gatherings whenever my family made the trek to Dallas, and of course, Aunt Louise was in the middle of it all! She was the whirlwind energy directing kitchen duties and clean up – whether at Grandmother Alexander’s house or her own home on Palisades Drive.
The matriarch. After Grandmother died, Aunt Louise assumed the mantle. She always kept up with our large and ever-expanding extended family. If you needed an address or phone number, you called Aunt Louise. And she always sent me a birthday card – for over 50 years!
Big hearted. Aunt Louise cared for the elderly – grandmother, Aunt Charlie, Uncle James and Aunt Martha. After she retired, she faithfully delivered Meals on Wheels to elderly shut-ins for some 35 years.
A patriot. Aunt Louise was always mindful of those who served in our military and the sacrifices they made for our nation. During World War II, she was a military wife. Later, when sons Butch and Robert Keith were enlisted and deployed to Vietnam, Aunt Louise wrote to each daily. After she retired, Aunt Louise worked as a volunteer at the Veteran’s Hospital once a week for some 30 years. In addition, Aunt Louise was an active member and officer of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary for over 65 years. When I stayed in her home, I discovered that she still prayed daily for our service members.
Devoted sister. Louise and little sister Lucille were inseparable growing up. Years later, after my parents retired in Plano, Aunt Louise frequently picked up Mom and took her to lunch for sister time while LB was at Rotary. After LB died, Aunt Louise faithfully visited Mom weekly on Thursday afternoons until she herself could no longer drive.
Full of spunk. After my parents moved to Highland Springs in 2013, I stayed with Aunt Louise whenever I went to Dallas. Aunt Louise was in her 90’s, but she still lived independently in her Plano home, drove, attended church weekly, and participated in Plano Senior Center activities. She was fun to talk to over breakfast and while eating Blue Bell ice cream before going to bed! Her memory regarding her childhood, family members and related stories was infallible, much like Grandmother Alexander’s.
Fiercely independent. The last several years of her life, Aunt Louise experienced medical setbacks requiring stays in the rehabilitation hospital. She tackled rehabilitation with the unwavering goal of returning to her home – which she did -- amazing therapists and nieces alike.
Funny. I am sure each of us can recall at least one funny quip made by Aunt Louise. On Aunt Louise’s 95th birthday, I was one of three nieces that spent the day with her. We went to the cemetery to visit our grandparents’ grave, then ate at her long-time favorite restaurant – Highland Park Cafeteria. We wrapped up with birthday cake in Lucille’s room at Highland Springs. On the way home, Aunt Louise commented that she’d had such fun that “Heaven will just have to wait.” And it did – a full four years.
Thank you Aunt Louise for enriching my life and the life of each one of us that you loved. Until we meet again, much love.