Irene Dimmitt, who we all called "Auntie," was my grandfather Ernest Dimmitt's sister. Irene touched everyone's lives in a special way, and I have always been inspired by reflecting on the life of this special lady.

When I first came across her high school graduation picture, posted on this memorial, I was awe-struck. She was beautiful, with the prettiest hint of a smile on her face. Her grace, charm, and poise were enough to make anyone take notice. Evidently her classmates felt the same way about her. The "May 1902 Ottumwa High School Argus" printed obituaries for each of their class members, and hers said: "Irene Dimmitt - To those who loved Irene (and to know her is to love her) she was singularly attractive. Hers was the lofty beauty of expression."

During her lifetime this beautiful girl was to become a shelter in the storm for many people. After high school graduation, Irene became a school teacher. In 1910, when her mother became ill with cancer, Irene cared for her until her death. Following her mother's death, Irene continued to make a home for her father. In 1923, when her brother Ernest's wife, Grace, died suddenly of pneumonia, he brought his four children to his father's home for Irene to care for. These four children were: Clara Belle, age 9; Frederick, age 7; Lois Audrey, age 4; and my mother, Margaret Grace, age 2 months.

I have been told that Auntie was not well during this period of time, suffering with ulcers. However, she made a home for all of the children, and was just like a mother to them. Four years later, it was a sad day for the children when their father took them to the new home he had built, and they had to leave Auntie's home. Auntie filled one of the now empty rooms in her home by taking in a little foster daughter, Nellie Talbert, to raise.

Once again in 1939, Irene lost another loved one to death-this time her father. During the months before his death, William Henry became quite ill after suffering a stroke. Irene cared for him faithfully, once again putting her own health in jeopardy. After his death, she went to California and stayed with relatives for awhile to regain her health.

After coming back to Iowa, Irene moved into the old family home of her grandparents on West Woodland Avenue, here in Ottumwa. It was here that she once again provided a home for the needy. She took in elderly ladies who could no longer live alone, providing a nice, pleasant place for them in their later years. When her youngest brother, our grandfather Ernest, became ill with cancer in 1958, Irene was once again by his side. She cared for him in her home until his death.

I corresponded for several years with Auntie's cousin George Dimmitt. He once wrote me: "Irene was a rare person, and I still remember my last visit to her several months before her last illness. She had real character and a sense of stability that I envied."

When I was a young girl, Auntie taught me how to weave clover garlands for my hair. She was a wonderful cook, and during my childhood years, it was always a treat to have family dinners at her home. Her old gas cookstove, claw-footed bathtub, and wringer washing machine were quaint even by the time of my childhood in the 1950s. Auntie always used Ivory soap, and the scent always carries my memories back to Auntie's home.

However, it was during my teen years that I really came to know Auntie well. She needed someone to mow her yard, and somehow I got the job. Soon I was going up regularly, and my activities grew to include trimming hedges, pulling weeds, washing windows, and scrubbing floors. We also did fun things, such as making donuts and rhubarb jam, and I started washing, curling, and styling her hair.

I now realize that Auntie had me there working because she could no longer do those jobs. However, I do not remember ever hearing her complain. She made it fun, and I loved going. She became very special to me. She always fixed lunch for me, and I remember eating spinach and "greens" just because I did not want to make her feel bad. Now when I try to picture myself cheerfully scrubbing floors and eating spinach, I marvel even more at the effect of Auntie's spirit on me.

My great-aunt Irene passed away on Mother's Day, May 9, 1971. It was a sad time for all of us, and I remember several people saying, "And on Mother's Day, of all times." In retrospect, I now realize that Auntie had been very ill for a year, and she was ready to go to her heavenly home. How very fitting that our Lord chose Mother's Day to take this "Mother To The Motherless" home to be with him. I was only nineteen-years-old when she died, but I have always cherished the few years I was privileged to share with this special lady.

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Obituary From Ottumwa Courier, Monday, May 10, 1971, Page 8:

Irene Dimmitt, 87, of 233 W. Woodland, died Sunday at 12:30 p.m. She had been ill the past year.

She was born Dec. 19, 1883 in Wapello County, the daughter of William H. and Clara Belle Miller Dimmitt.

She was a lifetime resident of Wapello County and was a member of the Methodist Church.

She is survived by four nieces; Mrs. Margaret Pettit, Mrs. Clara Belle Dale, and Mrs. Edna Mae Hart, all of Ottumwa, and Mrs. Audrey Gibson of Des Moines; and one nephew, Fred Dimmitt of Ontario, Calif.

She was preceded in death by two brothers.

Funeral services will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Jay Funeral Home with the Rev. George Dimmitt of the Wesley Acres Rest Home of Des Moines officiating. Burial will be in Ottumwa Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dave Yearin[sic-should be Yearian], Neal McMullin, Dennis Pettit, Larry Fox, Stephen Dale, and Roger Dale.