Dorothy K Richardson

Dorothy put the final touches on her life story on Saturday, November 25th, and submitted it to the great publisher in the sky. It was your classic tale of family and faith, featuring a marriage of 57 years, four sons, living and loving in South Texas.

Born in San Antonio on April 14, 1945 into the Kleypas family, a life in service in her community and the Catholic faith was a natural progression that would continue throughout her life. As she came of age, her plan was to become a nun. Then things took a turn when Jesse Richardson came back into her life during home repairs from a recent flood. As the story was told, her family was not sold on the idea, recounting a time an eight year-old Jesse was chasing them with a knife for a perceived slight only an eight-year old could explain. But as they say, love is all about timing. The more mature Jesse was into electronics and building, and struck Dorothy just the right way.

They were married on February 12, 1966, honeymooned in Arizona, and soon moved out into an apartment to start their life together. Their first son Jerome Douglas was born, but passed away shortly thereafter. It is a blow that could destroy a marriage, but not this one. A second son Jerome Dominic soon followed.

They bought land south of San Antonio, and set about building a house to raise their growing family. Two more sons came along, Jesse Jr and Christopher Eric. Life in the country could present new challenges, especially with Jesse commuting to and from work at Kelly Air Force Base in town. But Dorothy was fiercely protective of her young sons and up to any challenge. One one occasion, she retrieved Jesse's 12 gauge shotgun from the closet, loaded it, and dispatched a rattlesnake who had taken up residence a bit too close to the house.

A few years later, they moved to the city, a suburban neighborhood three miles drive from work, and walking distance to elementary and middle schools. A fifth son was born, Alvin Charles. They would often drive out to the country on weekends, stopping at Bill Miller BBQ, or Hungry Farmer restaurant on the way back.

Living life surrounded by a husband and four sons was her vocation and her affliction. She commandeered the smallest room at the center of the house, painted it the brightest pink you can imagine, christened it "The Pink Room", thus carving out a little space for her crafts, sewing, knitting, crotchet and keepsakes. Over the years, she sewed several patchwork quilts from remnants of her sons clothes, too ripped up or stained to be useful as hand-me-downs. They now live as fabric histories of what was in fashion in the 1980's for 10 year old boys. Dorothy had "Old World" skills like that.

Dorothy had a love for words, too. Whether reading stories to her boys at home, or reading scripture as a Lector in Church, she read every passage with vigor, trying to convey not just the details but also the feelings as well. In 1985, she wrote a book of poetry "Revelation in the Snow" which she wrote was "dedicated to my loving father, Arthur Michael Kleypas, who taught me how to listen to the music of life." His recent passing had caused her to reach inside to know her feelings about death, and as she wrote in the forward: "Use my poems to reach inside yourselves, because memories of the good times are the treasures which fill our hearts with joy." At bottom is one of those poems, "Time is a Dance", written by Dorothy 38 years ago.

Dorothy and family later moved to a larger house in North San Antonio, as the boys started going to college, traveling back for holidays, and family time became more spread out over time and space.

With the close of Kelly AFB, she moved to Bonnaire, Georgia with husband Jesse - who she always referred to simply as "Darlin'" - who was relocated to Warner Robbins AFB. It was the first time living outside of Texas, but new rhythms were established, new favorite restaurants, new places to take visiting sons, and new community bonds in Middle Georgia . She even gained a godson, the first not already part of her family.

With Jesse's retirement, Dorothy moved back to Texas - Austin this time - to be closer to family, sons, and now grandchildren Wolfie and Molly Bee.

Dorothy was known by many names. Family mostly referred to her as Dottie, though in later years, she went by "Dot". Her husband of 57 years always called her "Angel". The sons, as "Mom". And the church and formal purposes, Mrs. Richardson. But regardless of how you referred to her or where you came to know her, all very much the same person. Family and faith, first and foremost, embedded in and surrounded by both. Selfless and caring to a fault. Eager to share and be involved in every conversation, taking joy in every surprise or planned reunion. She loved to laugh at herself, if she misspoke or asked a silly question. She would get to laughing so hard her shoulders would roll and her eyes would water until she couldn't see through her glasses. She would have to take them off and wipe them. Though she has left this world to join our Heavily Father, she is no doubt celebrating her reunion with her first son Jerome Douglas, her mother Cecilia who she hardly got to know, her father and all her departed brothers and sisters, telling stories, saying something silly and then laughing so hard her glasses need attention.

Please share your own funny Dottie stories.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Jesse Dalvin Richardson; her children, Jerome Dominic Richardson, Jesse Richardson (Diane), Chris Richardson (Kate), and Alvin Richardson (Melissa). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Wolfie Richardson and Molly Richardson.

She is preceded by son, Jerome Douglas Richardson; siblings Calvin Kleypas, Gerry Barger, Bill Kleypas, Marcy Schaeffer, Bonnie Shaddock, Patsy Akeroyd, Mary Ann Petry, and Jeanne Bell.

In lieu of flowers, make a donation to American Diabetes Association or your favorite charity.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Saint Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church,126 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704 . Burial will take place at San Fernando Cemetery # 2, 746 Castroville Rd

San Antonio, Texas 78237 United States. Service time and date are pending currently.

Time Is A Dance

When someone you love has said goodbye,

It's a time to be still and think as you cry. Even though you know heaven is now their home.

Your own shaken spirit has the memories to roam.

It seems that with their death must be your own,

For how can life dare go on with the sadness you've shown?

Yet the very act of life going on,

Eases the pain and shows us the dawn.

Think now, as the baby is born to earth,

That isn't the beginning, but only the birth.

For what formed the essence of baby's background and soul,

Was fixed, as ancestors' actions took their toll.

Listen when the youth announces love,

And wants a wedding ring.

They say "Come join us, family".

"Let's dance and sing."

For time is a dance in itself,

You have to step fancy, moving to the end.

It swirls across the floor,

Causing people's styles to blend.