Carole and Her Sister
My grandma Dorothy was Carole's sister and her best friend. Dorothy was born in Montana in 1917 two years before Carole. They had a hard childhood...my grandmother always told me stories during chores when I fussed over pulling weeds in the garden or having to get up on my summer vacation when the sun was barely rising itself. My grandmother was a very hard worker, very devoted to her family and God. She was the most loving, patient, and caring person I've ever known in my life. She was a true role model and she was always teaching her children and grandchildren the ways of life and that you should always have your head up and stay positive in the hard times. Their mother Clara raised them alone and was always working. She would have two jobs and also took in laundry on the side to be ironed or altered. So being that she was also a hard worker my grandmother Dorothy was responsible for Carole. She told me of having to wash the diapers, help with the "extra" work her mom brought in, and take care of the house and cook dinner. When I asked her what age she was she said she was five!! I was blown away at my own age of seven that she had so much to do...she never made it sound that she was complaining but that she had to do what it took to help keep the family keep going.
Dorothy (lower left) with her brother Lawrence, her mother Clara, and Carole in 1925
Dorothy and Carole in 1934
Dorothy raised Carole and there is no doubt she was the "second" mommy!! She loved on her, played with her, did her hair, and would make special clothes for Carole's dolls. I remember that my Grandmother said she had gotten old socks that had been darned too many times and made a doll for Carole. She was the little girl that loved dressing up and wanted many things to say the least. They weren't allowed to go outside very much when they were really young. When Clara was at work they had to stay in and wait for her to come home. Then they would get some time until Clara had to leave to go to her other job. Carole was talking by a early age so her and Dorothy would make up stories. That was one of their favorite thing to do. And as you all know Carole loved writing as well as my Grandmother. Dorothy and Carole were best friends! My grandmother loved and adored her sister. When she talked of Carole she had a smile on her face and you could tell she was feeling her sister near by. I felt growing up that Carole was not dead - she was alive in my grandmother's heart and soul and she transferred Carole into my heart and soul.
Dorothy and Carole in 1938
The sisters wearing the same dress
One of the stories that is so Carole and shows how she knew she could win my grandmother over is this...one day my grandmother and I were out "tuning up the roses" as she called it. I just hated getting scratched everywhere but when she sat down and took off her shoes she had a bunion on her foot. She was rubbing it and I asked her "how she got that ugly thing on her foot". She laughed and started to tell the story that it was all Carole's fault and some was her fault for giving in to her sister. Clara would let the children take turns buying new shoes and Carole already had her turn so it was Dorothy's turn. Clara gave Dorothy the money and told her to go straight there with Carole and come straight home. When they got the shoe store Dorothy was looking for the shoes that would be in the price range and Carole was all over the store looking at the very expensive ones. She couldn't stand it that she couldn't get another pare of shoes. So Dorothy found the pair she wanted and tried them on and Carole was being "moppie" my grandmother would put it so she asked her "whats wrong". Carole told her "she had to have this shoes or she was going to die!!" So being the loving sister she was Dorothy bought those pretty shoes for Carole. My grandmother had to put her raggy shoes back on and wait for her turn to get shoes. Well her feet grew and that's how she got her painful bunions but Dorothy couldn't say no to Carole ;-)
Dorothy with her father Alfred (Photo from Tammie Hefty)
Dorothy (in the print dress) with her children Diane Carole, Buck, Bill, Sharon, and her mother Clara
The sisters shared everything including boyfriends. Dorothy met my grandfather, Walter "Babe" Ross, when he dated Carole. They eloped in 1935 and had four children - Diane Carole (named after Carole), Buck, Sharon (my mom), and Bill. Carole was jealous of Dorothy's happy family life. She used to say that Dorothy should give her one of the kids because she had so many. Dorothy and Walt didn't like the Hollywood scene. At a party Bing Crosby patted Dorothy's bottom and Walt punched him! Dorothy was a selfless person, sister, mother, and grandmother. She had a spirit and unique way about her. She had everyone's interest at heart and always wanted the best. I believe that part of who Carole was and her giving heart came from my grandmother. Dorothy and Carole were like one soul and they always will be. My grandmother told me Carole was like her baby! When Carole passed away it was very painful and heartbreaking for Dorothy but she has always carried her memory on through her family. I'm so thankful that she did that for me and for my children to see that our family has relatives that are giving, loving, and wonderful. They are the ones to inspire us and to freely be who we are made to be and we can achieve anything!!!
~ Written by Tammy Powell, Dorothy's granddaughter and Carole's great-niece
Dorothy with her husband Walter "Babe" Ross
Dorothy and Walt (on the right) having fun with friends
Dorothy's Obituary
Dorothy Anna Ridste Ross was called home by her loving Heavenly Father on September 19, 1997. Her abundant love, charity, consideration, and patience - a reflection to her lifelong devotion to Christian principles, touched all who knew her. Dorothy was born to Clara Zentik and Alfred Ridste on July 8, 1917, in Denton, Montana. She married Walter Lee Ross in Arlington, California, on May 11, 1935. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on November 29, 1958. An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she and her family became members of the LDS Church in December 1956. She loved serving in the Relief Society, including her calling as ward Relief Society president. One of her great joys was serving a Family History mission in Salt Lake City. She also enjoyed working in the PTA, serving as PTA president in Long Beach, California. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter Lee Ross; her three brothers, a sister and one grandchild. She is survived by her four children, Diane Edmunds (Joe) of Ogden, Walter Lee Ross, Jr. (Sandra) and Sharon Powell of Provo, William Ross (Diane) of West Jordan; 26 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.
* Just 5 months after my grandmother's death her daughter Diane Carole also died of cancer
Dorothy visiting Aunt Carole's grave
My grandparents grave
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