Dorothy A. Booker Tyler, Age 85, passed away on May 5, 2020 in Rockville, MD

Dorothy A. Booker Tyler was a beautiful, graceful, quietly witty and sweet lady who I am so blessed to have had as my mother. As sweet as she was, she was one fiercely strong woman. Her fight for life through the many challenges she experienced particularly in the last year and three quarters of her life was stunning. She showed me how to advocate for her. She took command of her care with her care takers at the nursing home, and she charged through physical therapy for months as we worked together along with a couple of wonderful helpers, Melinda Sellers and Princess Kamanda, who I want to give many thanks to for their commitment, tenderness and love.

I will return to her life story when I am able because there are many beautiful stories that demonstrate her many gifts. In this moment, it is important for me to share with you that in her last moments, she continued her fight for life as she would ask for physical therapy for her hands. I asked her orthopedist to please send the hospital exercises that she could do while she was recuperating. He immediately responded and called the hospital, yesterday, and to his surprise, learned of her passing. I had told my mom just the day before, “tomorrow, Mom, we will have hand exercises for you.” And she said, “that would be wonderful”.

Something that I got to learn about my mom was that she had an amazing memory. I used to wonder why she would get irritated if I asked her something and would reply, “I already told you!” Working with her so closely in these last 19 months, I started to realize either I have a pretty bad memory, or she has an incredibly sharp memory. It turns out she remembered every single thing she had ever read, or had heard, or had seen from day one! She was like a walking encyclopedia! In fact, she was like the FBI in plain sight, especially at the nursing home! (smile)

I want to invite all of our family members and friends to share their memories and pictures. And, it is my hope that we will all be able to come together and celebrate her life in the near future.

The above picture was taken on her 85th birthday in Richmond, VA this past January, 1, 2020.