Shirley Melbert Roper 1920-1998

When ever I remember my mom, I remember her as the compleat Lady. Mom was a feminist before the word was popular, insisting that in her professional duties she be treated as well as any man and respected for her ability, at home she was co-equal with my dad in every way. When she voted for John Kennedy in 1960, Dad was, to put it mildly, upset. Mom only looked at him and said "If you are foolish enough to not talk to me, you can be foolish enough to fix your own meals. After a couple of days of fried egg sandwiches (all Dad knew how to cook) he gave in.

She did not suffer fools kindly in her work as a teacher, whether it be a fool of a superintendent, principal, fellow teacher or student; and yet, Mom was one of the kindest most gentle woman I have ever known.

Mom had a sense of humor that boggled the mind and loved to tell stories and if someone remembered it differently, she'd say "I like my version better." But she'd say it with a smile. At one family gathering I started a shaggy dog story about when she gave birth to me prefacing the story with "I'll bet Mom never told you the TRUE story of how I was born." and then went into a long, drawn out, tale of her driving herself in a borrowed jeep to the trials in Nuremburg, having an auto accident near the hospital and when they delivered me I had a sheet metal screw right beside my navel. Mom just sat there nodding as if agreeing with the story. When someone asked what happened, I said, "The docs got a screwdriver, backed it out but then my fanny fell off." Mom's comment? "I didn't know where you were going with that tale, but it sounded interesting."

Mom made everyone we knew "part of the family." She was a gourmet cook, a great party giver and knew the value of having a good time with friends. For years, Mom would prepare such delicacies as ceviche or marinated mushrooms. I'd not touch them for anything, and she only noted that I had no Idea what I was missing. As I grew up and my tastes developed, I learned to like the things I had missed and regret all the times I could have enjoyed some of her creations. She would look at me and say "See, I told you that you were missing something special."

Mom was a military wife through and through holding the family together through three shooting wars (WWII, Korea and Vietnam) acting in the role of Mom and Dad and doing a superb job at it.

Mom had her faults though, she could get lost in a closet. When we moved from Budigen, Germany to Bad Neuheim she took a wrong turn somewhere and we ended up in dead end in the middle of a corn field. Smiling big she said "Stick with me kids and we'll see Germany." My youngest brother Doug wailed "But I want to see daddy."

Mom could be stern, but was always fair, loving but held you accountable for what you did or didn't do. Willing to forgive, but would remember in case an infraction occurred again. Mom was special and I miss her. God bless you Mom, Rest in Peace!