Dorothy Mae Walkup, RN, BSN

Dorothy Mae Walkup, RN, BSN

May 9, 1928 – May 16, 2021

Our Beloved Mother and Grandmother, Mrs Dorothy Mae Phanensmith Walkup, RN, BSN, passed away peacefully at home Sunday, 16 May 2021 in The Woodlands, Texas. Mrs Walkup had just joyfully celebrated her 93rd birthday on Mothers Day, how appropriate for a life so well lived....a Mother most deserving.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Dorothy was the middle daughter of three girls, Barbara, the oldest and Lucille the youngest. Their childhood was filled with sunny days at the shore, having lobstaahhh dinners {5cents a pound}, singing acapella, playing the piano and always putting God, Catholic Mass and studies first. Their home was filled with laughing cousins, aunts, uncles, singing Barber Shop Quartet and running around the front yard enjoying simple family times. Dorothy's greatest joy was going flounder fishing with her very best friend...her father, William P Phanensmith. They would leave at 4a, venturing out into the cold dark waters of Long Island Sound and returning with the freshest, sweetest flounder you can imagine. Dorothy, as did the other sisters, went out of their way to always obey, please, and honor their parents at all times....or else!

At the age of 18years old Dorothy Mae got on a train, by herself, in New Haven, Ct with 1 suitcase and $25.00. Her destination? Kings County Hospital School of Nursing, Brooklyn, New York. Successfully graduating with her RN degree she was hired as the school nurse for Annhurst College, an all girls Catholic school in Woodstock, CT. In turn for her duties as college nurse she was offered free tuition to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She was both faculty and a student and she thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of both positions.

After graduating with honors, medical school called....however the Air Force called out louder. Dorothy joined the Air Force as a 1st Lieutenant and then the world opened up from there! For Dorothy's 1st assignment, she was honored to be selected as one of the first nurses to open the 1st Air Force Base Hospital in Spain. Dorothy took many flights in B17s transporting seriously ill patients, caring for leprosy, polio and tuberculous patients. While off duty she was able to travel and explore wonderous and magical places.....Germany, Spain, Italy, CasaBlanca just to name a few. Dorothy, an extremely eligible cutie, with a fierce quick wit, and ready smile was pursed by many a uniformed officer, in all the branches....but only 1 stole her heart, Lt Ernest E Walkup. He accidentally barged in, without knocking, while Dorothy was performing an exam on a patient. A severe rebuke was delivered, loudly & strongly!! The rebuke shocked Lt. Walkup, he very quickly apologized and shut the door. However, no rebuke ever stopped the very handsome, eligible Lt Ernest E Walkup....he returned shortly with a large bouquet of flowers, chocolates and a request for a dinner date. Well played Sir! They were married in 1959 in Niantic, Ct and began a wonderful 30year life in the Air Force. Dorothy resigned as a Captain and began focusing on her her growing family. The Walkup family was transferred every 4yrs, enjoying great assignments New York, Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Taiwan. Weekends at the Walkup household always consisted of theme parties where Dorothy made everything from scratch....paella night, fondue night, Italian night, eight course Chinese formal dinner from scratch! Dad did his famous flaming bananas foster. The nighrs were filled with music, dancing, laughing, all ages, all professions, pilots, priests, nuns, 4 star generals....all enjoying great meals, better cocktails and joyous times. Dorothy & Ernest were THE consummate entertainers & hosts....everyone left laughing in the wee small hours of the morning.

The Walkup clan had now rapidly grown to six children: Karen Yvonne, Ernest Eugene, Nancy Barbara, William Peter, Susan Joanne, and David Christopher. Upon the last child's graduation Dorothy returned to nursing and completed her last shift at the mere age of 87years young. Dorothy was able to attend her 47th Annhurst College reunion in 2019...and no she was not the oldest alumni! Dorothy still maintained a valid Nursing license until her passing. A 67 year professional career by a highly devoted, skilled, caring, and oh so wise nurse. Dorothy was blessed with a 63yr marriage, six loving grandchildren, Madison Adele Girndt, Josh and Jacob Range, William, Drexel, and Conrad Walkup. Her eyes would beam and her face would light up anytime the grandchildren were present. They stuck to her like glue. She was also blessed with loving and attentive sons in laws John Girndt, Tyler Ross, Anthony T Ferrara and a very special daughter in law, Claudia Walkup.

While we will ALL most certainly mourn this great loss, we more importantly will focus on the fact that we were honored, blessed and remarkably fortunate to have been gifted from God this remarkable human, this remarkable mother, and amazing grandmother.

What A Life...... So Honorably Lived!