Topic starter
02/02/2010 7:49 pm
Today marks a decade that we have been without one of steamboating's friends and a dear friend and mentor of many steamboaters - Dorothea Frye. DF was an amazing woman whose formal education ended with the 8th grade, but whose knowledge was encyclopedic and diverse. From her childhood, when one of her school friends was Doris Day, to her later years with her cherished friendship with John Hartford, DF had room in her heart for all. Betty Blake, Doc Hawley, Roddy Hammett, Jane Greene, Sharon Wright, Dale Flick, Keith Norrington, and I were just a few of those who shared our laughs and tears at 520 Probasco over the years. DF and I shared a bond outside of steamboats - we both had 'difficult' mothers to care for, and we both had 'perfect' sisters who lived afar - so many a late night I vented over the day's aggravations with DF via Ma Bell. We were truly blessed to have had Dorothea Frye in our world.
1) October 1986 Larry and Ethel Walker and Dorothea made annual 2 week pilgrimages to New Orleans in October for over 30 years. This was taken in the patio at CCH's. I was working year round on the NATCHEZ at the time.
2) Taken by Keith at 520 Probasco in April 1995. DF's bed's headboard is adorned with rosettes from the AVALON. Her hand is over a sketch she did of Betty Blake, which far surpasses the professional one in the BB Lounge on the DQ. There's also a bottle of Old Betty Blake Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey on the bookshelf.
3) Dorothea posing on the landing at the Howard Museum with one of her DELTA QUEEN paintings on the wall. DF always put familiar people in her paintings. In this one, she, Ethel, and Larry are at the railings.
Topic starter
02/02/2010 7:54 pm
A few DF artistic efforts
1) The Steamer AMERICA, which hangs over Doc Hawley's writing desk in his living room in New Orleans.
2) A pencil sketch of a young Doc
3) A pencil sketch of Capt. Jesse Hughes
We have posted many of Dorothea's paintings on here in the past. Check the archives for some of the truest DQ paintings you'll ever find. DF knew and 'felt' the subject...
02/02/2010 8:00 pm
Dorothea has been gone from us for a decade, but the loss of her wise counsel, loyal friendship and love make it seem much, much longer.
DF had a wonderful sense of humor and one of her nephews told me at the funeral home visitation that he couldn't help but think that his beloved aunt wouldn't have at all minded - and thought it "cool" -- if they had put a small sign inside her casket proudly proclaiming, "I DIED ON GROUNDHOG DAY!"
Indeed, DF was a treasure to many of us. She greatly enriched our lives and is much missed and lovingly remembered. A long and loud whistle salute -- and a rousing rendition of "The Wildwood Flower" to her memory.
Photos:
1 & 2: Dorothea, as a favor to her friend, Mrs. Letha C. Greene, ran the gift shop aboard the DELTA QUEEN for the 1966 season.
3: Dorothea in her living room with painting she did of the DELTA QUEEN departing the Greene Line wharfboat in the 1950's. She found the shadowbox frame which encloses it in a neighbor's trash bin! (Photo by Judy Patsch).
03/02/2010 9:58 am
I, too, succumbed the Dorothea Frye's spell. We carried on a ten-year bi-weekly correspondence covering virtually every aspect of life, art, steamboats and music as we knew them. That correspondence has been preserved and is in the care of my granddaughter. She was a remarkable woman. Along with her art she was an excellent woodworker, served time on the Delta Queen as a musician and clerk, and like that other steamboat fan, Bert Fenn, knew as much about the river and its people as anyone alive.