Three Letters from Dorothy Deissler Specht

to Jerry's Family: 1992, 1999 & 2007

Monday, July 6, 1992

Dear Jerry, Roxann, and children,

When we called Jerry last night, we were so pleased to hear that Mark had started to improve. We have naturally been very concerned. I am sure that the strain of realizing that Mark was so ill was difficult for all of you. May God bless all of you.

Daddy received the birthday card you sent today and he said to tell you that he appreciates it very much and also the clock-radio tape recorder that you and the other children gave him for Father's Day.

We loved the pictures of Mark and Andrew. Thanks!

I am enclosing some tips for people who work at computers. You probably already know them, but I will send them anyway – just in case – to you and the rest of the children.

Did I tell you that Anne graduated magna cum laude from Cleveland State University? Her degree was in Music.

Love,

Mom and Dad Specht

p.s. We are looking forward to seeing you all next month!

p.p.s. Andrew does very well writing his name!

March, 1999

We are happy for your brother, Roxann. I hope Jimmy can find someone now. I think“everybody needs somebody”.

I hope Jimmy can find someone as easy to get along with as your father is, Jerry – especially in recent years.

In the beginning, neither of us knew much about how to get along with each other and we knew even less about raising children.

Thanks again for the creative birthday card.

Love,

Mom & Dad Specht

p.s. Things are a little rocky right now, so we don't know whether Amanda will be coming this summer or not.

I am sure the divorce has been very hard on her and she must be feeling very confused. We will all just need to be patient.

Happy Easter!

May 9, 2007

Thank you so much for the information you sent about the drugs we are taking. We appreciate your helping us with this and we very much appreciate your opinion.

As you know, we have always looked forward to having our children and their families stay here at the house when they are in Sharon, but now we can barely manage to keep things going with just us, so it is impossible for us to have anyone else here too. I suppose we should be thinking about moving to an assisted-living facility, but we do not plan to do that because we want to be here, even if it is difficult. It is worth the effort.

Rosemary calls every day to make sure we are all right, and we do have some extra help coming to assist us, so that helps. Rosemary seems to feel responsible for us because she lives close by, but my feeling is that this should not in any way make her feel that she is responsible for us.

We love and appreciate our children and their families so much. We feel we have been blessed.

Love,

Mom