Introducing Dodie

Dorothy Joan Pickrel Gravett will turn 95 on May 24, 2010.

Whether or not she is able to blow out all those candles, while she's waiting for the next turn of her life in the Ebeid Hospice Residence at Flower Hospital, this little blog can help introduce her and recount a life of struggle, challenge, and personal triumph.

The seventh child of Stella Mary Young Pickrel and David Leach Pickrel, she was born at the family residence, as were all of her 12 siblings. Dayton, Ohio, was their hometown.

Called Dodie, she and 10 siblings -- Mary Lofton, David Pickrel, Ruth Ward, Jack Pickrel, Betty Stickel, Jim Pickrel, Carol Gould, David Pickrel, Howard Pickrel, and Anne Beatty survived into old age.

Now, only Dodie and her youngest sister, Anne, are still with us. But there are over 100 offspring in this family now, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-greats, scattered all over the country.

As Dodie grew up, the country entered and left the Roaring 20s, but even when the Great Depression gave the Pickrel family an economic smackdown, some of that flapper glee remained. A party girl she is and always will be Don't let the fun stop, Dodie says with a smile.

By the way, the name of this post is hers, too.

MOM: "You have to write a book called 'Leopards at 30.' "

ME: "What's the book about?"

MOM: "Oh, just make something up."