DOROTHY DONALDSON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 December 1938, Page 10

DOROTHY DONALDSON

TRIBUTES TO A BRAVE GIRL. At the recent meeting in Masterton of the Women’s National Welfare League a motion of condolence was passed with Mr and Mrs Gordon Donaldson in the loss of their only child, Dorothy. Members stood in silence as a tribute of respect to her memory. Dorothy Donaldson was well known to members of the league in connection with the work amongst the blind carried out by the Masterton Women’s National Welfare League. At many of the meetings of the league Mrs H. E. Pither, in her most interesting talks on the work of the blind, has read letters from Dorothy Donaldson and referred to her artistic personal qualities. The bright, cheerful letters were always full of ambition and courage. Her death is deeply regretted as she was well known and loved by many of the members of the league although they had never seen her, but knew her so well as the result of her letters which Mrs Pither read at the meetings.

Deprived almost entirely of normal sight as the indirect result of an illness and operation in childhood, Dorothy subsequently Decame completely deaf also, and could no longer enjoy one of her greatest pleasures, her mother’s music and her mother’s voice reading aloud to her. Conversation was possible only by printing words on the palm of her hand, her quick intelligence supplying all omissions. Yet, hampered as she was, she had an unconquerable courage, a joie de vivre, a capacity for fun, a keenness of intellect, a vivid interest in everything that went on and a zest for life that many a man or woman in full possession of every faculty might well have envied. She learnt to type on a friend's typewriter until she could procure one of her own, and derived a great deal of pleasure from writing and receiving letters. She began to show facility in writing verse and short stories, while others of her little poems were put to music by her mother and sung “over the air.” She developed also extraordinary skill in knitting cardigans and jumpers in varied colours and complicated Fair Isle designs which would have baffled many knitters with good sight, and which were a constant source of amazement to her friends.

Early this year, however, there came a great change to Dorothy, which added many new friends and new interests to her life. At the invitation of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind she went to Auckland to learn Braille and whatever else the Institute could teach her. For several happy months she eagerly absorbed all the knowledge made available to her; everyone in the institute loved her, and one and all, from the various members of the staff to her fellow-pupils and companions, went out of their way to make life as happy, full and interesting as possible to her. But about seven weeks ago she became ill, and on the advice of a nerve specialist was taken to the Auckland Hospital for special treatment preparatory to going home for Christmas. The illness, however, developed with such tragic suddenness that she died on November 15 before her mother could reach her.

For Dorothy the darkness and the silence of her pitifully limited world on this earth are over, for her the doors to light and sunshine and beauty have opened wide; but many readers, and especially those mothers who have lavished years of care and devotion on a crippled or invalid child, will feel their hearts go out in warm sympathy and understanding to Mr and Mrs Donaldson.

We append a message from Dorothy herself —one of the last poems she ever wrote.

To You. Jewels without price—for they cannot be bought— Are my innermost thoughts for each day; For pearls spring, like tears, from a spiritual thought Over which I can ponder and pray. Others, like rubies, glow deeply with love, Reflecting their warmth in my heart, While a few, crystal clear, seem to come from above And are treasured, from others, apart. And over these jewels I keep watch and ward, Daily adding a thought that is new. But my jewels I do not in selfishness hoard — They shall some day be given to You.