Jody Doyle Dolen “The Jodster”
My Sister Jody Doyle Dolen ("The Jodster") - June 9, 1962 - November 17, 2003- My sister Jody passed away from Muscular Dystrophy and Multiple Sclerosis in 2003 - George Dolen, Jody's wonderful husband said, and we all concur, "Everybody loved Jody"!
Jody passed away when she was 41 yrs old. She had the most beautiful eyes, smile and heart of anyone I ever knew. Jody was very, very sick as she had Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and a bone infection due to bed sores. Despite this, she was a perfect picture of many of the Beatitudes in chapter 5 of the book of Matthew - - she was poor in spirit, she mourned, she was gentle and she was pure in heart. The verses below show God's promises associated with these attributes:
5v3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
5v4 - Blessed are those who morn, for they shall be comforted
5v5 - Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth
5v8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God
I believe Jody has received these promises of God! Jody had a pure heart - - and has seen God and is now with Him for eternity! Praise the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Judge Sharp, Jody's former employer, sends a letter- Jody is remembered fondly by her former employer.
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George asked me to say a few words on behalf of Jody:
Jody's Heart
The Bible says - - - - The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Jody had a beautiful heart.
The most beautiful heart of anyone I've ever known….
Her heart made her beautiful blue eyes shine ------ and her smile and personality absolutely took over any room that she entered.
Heaven
On Monday, Jody entered into the presence of God - - - as the Bible clearly states to be "absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."
Jody is in the perfect place - - we know in Heaven there is no sorrow, no pain, no crying, no suffering, no disabilities NO WHEELCHAIRS ....and no death…… ………
Jody is free from pain and in the perfect presence of God - - -forever……..
Because we all love Jody so much, we know in our hearts that this is the perfect place for her to be - - we have all prayed for the Lord to take away her pain and He has chosen to now answer those prayers. Jody is in a place of eternal joy - - - and I'm certain that gives each and every one of us a smile and a sense of relief and thankfulness……………………
Sadness
But there is sadness - - - - The sorrow we feel is for us - - for our loss - - - -
But Jody comes first - - - and when you stop and think that she is in a place of complete joy - - no pain, no suffering - - it is truly a time for celebration and thankfulness!
We celebrate Jody's life by looking back:
Lake Wawasee - -
Jody loved it there and she loved it most when the Langs were there at the same time. Debby and Mack will never forget how inseperable Kurt and Jody were. Jody loved Kurt and followed him around everywhere he went - - a photo in the collage is telling - - Jody sitting on Kurt's lap in a family picture at Wawasee…… Jody called him "Kurt" - - - -
And in the same way, a few days ago, Ellie yelled out her front screen door at an older friend riding his bicycle through the neighborhood as he would do a few times a day - - she yelled - -
"Hey Murt, mommy's sad because Jody went to visit God."
Consider Christmas time - - -
Did Jody ever open up a present on her own????
It was always "Jody and Jamie need to open these at the same time."
JodyandJamie
In fact, Jody and Jamie actually became one word - - - you never said one without the other - - it was always "JodyandJamie"…… Those 2 together - - they were inseperable - - Just like Jody followed Kurt around at Wawasee, Jamie followed Jody around…….everywhere…..
Everything Jamie did was because of Jody - - - doing gymnastics, practicing cheerleading, cleaning the kitchen, playing games - - - - Jody always let Jamie tag along and play……
Sometimes with disastrous results - - - like when Jody was teaching Jamie how to ride a bike and there was an incident on Foxwell's driveway resulting in Jamie losing her 2 front teeth…….And then maybe, the next day Jody opened a door right in Jamie's face resulting in another lost tooth……
From the beginning, Jody was always there for Jamie and she was the best big sister a little girl and a big girl could ever have….
Uniqueness of Jody - - -
Very good athlete but didn't play organized sports
Loved animals (even naming her dog Bernie after Pop)
Always put relationships first
Strong convictions
Only one who met her eventual husband in HS
Went out of her way to include Ahmed in the family when no one else did
Never afraid to try new things - like court reporting
Liked to challenge authority in her younger days
Very, very funny - like the time she took the microphone at Christmastime and announced the Christmas presents
Very witty
An overabundance of common sense
Everyone who met her really liked her
She had a gift of making people feel better about themselves -- just because they met her…..
She had the best heart of anyone I've ever known
Absolutely a beautiful person inside and out
Tough !
Nicknames
One nickname that always made Jody smile was the name "The Jodster" taken from a character on a mid 80's sitcom.. She loved that nickname (partly because Danny did not give it to her) and George had the name "The Jodster" added to the temporary headstone at the cemetery - - - I think everyone who will see will smile……
Jody had a number of nicknames thanks to Danny - - - I take no credit or blame in all the nicknames Jody received or earned….. Time and decorum don't allow us to go through all the nicknames - - - but even though all the names were not kind, Jody never let the constant needling get to her - - - she was incredibly tough and resilient…..
Weakness
Like Superman's kryptonite - - - as tough as Jody was - she had a weakness - - and Jenny knew how to exploit it - - - - Jody couldn't handle the heads being off her dolls…… so Jenny would use it to get back at the Jodster whenever necessary……………..
School
In school, Jody was always the most popular and beautiful girl in her class - -
and as a student, she always enjoyed the social aspect of high school and college
Gram and Pop
Jody was always Gram (Nan) and Pop's favorite because Jody had always made time for them. When the rest of us in the family were taking care of us - - Jody was thinking about and spending time with gram and pop
One person Jody liked was Mother Theresa: "Someone once asked Mother Teresa if she thought we didn't suffer in the United States like other people did because we were a righteous nation, and Mother Teresa said, "No, I'm afraid you're so wrong."" She said "I don't think you suffer in the United States because you are not worthy to suffer."
Jody was certainly the exception……..
Sickness
Jody was sick in her life more than she was healthy. In 1977 diagnosed with MD and in 1995 with Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's disease……
When you picture Jody sitting in her chair the one word that comes to mind is contentment…… she was a perfect picture of contentment - never complaining…..
Mack's reading was a perfect description - - - "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…"In effect saying - - I have God - - what else could I possibly need????
The perception is this weakness is a negative - - - yet the Bible says otherwise……
Paul pleaded three times in prayer to the Lord to take away an incredible physical pain in his life that Paul knew made him weak.. The Lord replied:"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Paul concluded - - I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Jody was weak and many times all of us prayed for the Lord to take away the pain and suffering causing the weakness….. The Lord chose to wait so that we could see his power made perfect in total weakness………One way I saw the Lord's power made perfect in weakness was by observing George……..
George
"George and Jody" replaced "JodyandJamie"
They have been together more than 25 yrs……
Our family and the Dolen family considers George a hero for how he responded to Jody - I'm certain George Senior is so very proud of his only son ….. Through George's actions of caring, kindness, consistency and compassion toward Jody - - - - , George showed me Jesus Christ. The examples of Christ's love, compassion I have read in the Bible were lived out right before my eyes by George. George showed me Jesus - and a higher compliment could never be given to any person….He showed me power and compassion in weakness… He showed me No sorrow is ever wasted by God…..
Suffering
The suffering and the pain is over for Jody - - - and the Lord promises one day to end all suffering on this earth…… Why doesn't he do it now? Whats holding Him up? Some of us are……….He's holding back the curtain of the close of history so that some of you might be touched by his love, that some of u may put your trust in Him, that u may come to a relationship with Him and spend eternity in heaven with Him. and our Jody………·
Conclusion
We started by saying Jody had the most beautiful heart of anyone I've ever known……… I'm certain she made her namesake Aunt Jody proud…….
To Jody - - - - - -Until we all meet again, we love you so much Jodster and we thank you for being the wonderful daughter, grand daughter, niece, cousin, sister, sister in law, daughter in law, aunt and wife - - - -and for the lasting impact your heart and your irreplaceable life has had on us all.
The Bible says - - - - Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
And now Jody has seen and will be in the presence of God for eternity - - with no suffering, no pain and complete joy……for always….
And because of this - - - we celebrate the life of Jody Doyle Dolen and Jody celebrates her new life with Christ!
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Jo Ann "Jody" Doyle Dolen
41, of South Bend, IN, formerly of Indianapolis departed this life November 17, 2003. She received her Associates degree in Business from Ball State in 1983. In 1993, she graduated from Court Reporting School and began a career as a self employed court reporter. She was a member of the Court Reporters Association, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and St. Pius X Catholic church in South Bend, IN. She is survived by: her husband George W. Dolen, Jr.; parents James B. and Muffy Doyle; sisters Debby McCalley, Jamie Ismail and Jenny Walker; brothers, Mack, Dan and Tim Doyle. Friends are invited to visitation from 4 - 8pm Thursday, November 20 at Feeney Hornak Keystome Mortuary, 71st at Keystone. Private family service. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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An unknown author's words were so fitting from one sister to another at Jamie's graveside reading.
God looked upon His garden
and saw an empty space
He then looked down upon this earth
and saw your tired face
He wrapped His arms around you
and lifted you to rest
God's garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain
He knew that you would never
get well on earth again
He saw the roads were getting rough
and the hills were hard to climb
So He closed your weary eye-lids
and whispered "Peace be Thine"
It broke our hearts to lose you
but you didn't go alone
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home
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In a book of poems Jody made of her favorite quotes, she included one for Jamie...
A sister does not grow on a tree,like an apple, peach or pear.
But she is one who reaches out,
to show tender loving care.
A sister is understanding and very helpful too,
and a sister is there to have faith in everything you do.
A sister tries to pick you up when others let you down,
and if you're not feeling well,
a sister is around.
A sister helps you forget a bad experience or loss,
She is like a bridge which makes it safe for trust to come across.
A sister is your supporter,
she's honest, forgiving and true,
All these things bound together,
my sister, is you....
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Katie McCalley's (Jody's niece) beautiful Christmas words to Jody in "Remembrance of Jody"- Katie gave everyone in the family this writing to her aunt Jody on Christmas Eve 2003.
Jody had a heart,bigger than the Universe.
She could make anything sound good.
Jody loved all of God's creatures;
From animals,
To humans,
To everything!
Everyone loved Jody so much,
and Jody loved everyone.
When we think of Jody,
we think of suffering, suffering and more suffering.
But now, we think of how happy she must be,
how free she must be,
and we smile.
Jody had such a good influence on me.
She taught me to be happy with what I have.
If she could go through all that she went through,
surely I can accomplish the little troubles in my life.
Jody was such a great person.
She reminds me of Poppi, and of course, the one she was named after, great aunt Jody.
They are all such great people,
and I want to be just like them.
Jody was so valuable to everyone.
We all loved her so much,
and we wish she could be here with us at this thankful time.
But we are so happy for her,
that she is rejoicing in heaven.
Jody's time came when she least expected it;
Her time came when she was with God.
We miss you Jody.
Katie McCalley
December 2003
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A Story of Jody's annual October visit to the "Sturdy Pumpkins" in Sodus, Michigan- George Dolen, Jody's husband, shared this "Jody story" about her favorite place to visit everys Fall!
George relayed this story - - -Jody's favorite place to visit in October was the Sturdy Pumpkins in Sordus Michigan. It was a place that has it all - - you can pick out your pumpkins, corn stalks and gourds, have a cup of hot cider, take a hayride, take in the crafts, food, mums, music and explore all the halloween related items on the campus. You can spend a great day outdoors enjoying the beauty and smells of the country and be blown away at the creativity of the owner's Halloween displays.
Well, Jody loved spending a day every October at Sturdy Pumpkins.
When it was necessary for Jody to be in a wheelchair due to her sickness, the proprietors of the Sturdy Pumpkins were honored to make the campus handicap accessible for her and all in a similar situation.
From 2000 - 2003, Jody was too sick to visit Sturdy Pumpkins. In November 2003, Jody passed away and went to be home with the Lord.
In the Fall of 2005, George re-visited Sturdy Pumpkins and told the owners why he and Jody had not been there the past 5 years.... The owners were heartbroken by the story, but remembered Jody and recalled how much fun she seemed to have at the Acres every year. No suprise they remembered her - - - everyone did that met her - - she was that special a person - - she could light up a room (or a pumpkin patch) with her eyes and her smile!
George smiled and shed a tear of joy as he drove home from the Sturdy Pumpkins that Fall 2005 day, remembering how much fun he and Jody had for all those years in one of her favorite places to visit.
What a gift Jody was to all of us all those years ! What a gift George continues to be for the entire Doyle family !
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Sonia Flores, Jody's former co-worker, sends a letter- Jody is remembered fondly by her co-worker
Hi "T Doyle":
My employer, Judge Sharp, asked me today whether I had ever heard anything about Jody since she left our courthouse. I called Vickie Chodzinski in the U.S. Attorney's Office and she informed me that Jody passed away about a year ago. I searched the web for any information about her and came across your website. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful life. I met Jody when she was working for the U.S. Attorney's Office in 1987. She was indeed a very special person. I remember her beautiful smile and gentle spirit and often thought of her. My sincere condolences to you and the rest of your family on her moving on to be with the Lord. I respected her life and talents as well and will miss her.
Sincerely,
Sonia Flores
