“Filled with nothing but love and loved by so many
Life story
Patsy Dotson, nee Collier, 84, of South Elgin and long time resident of Elgin, forever loved by the late Thurman, Sr.; devoted Mom of Kim (Mike) Krabbe, Jeff (Sandi) Reid, Karen (George) Padilla, Thurman, Jr., Randy and the late Eddie; proud Grandma of Jason, Matt, Stephanie, Jeffrey, Josh, Lindsay, Lexie, Dylan, Lucas, Shane, Kyle and Blake, cherished Great Grandma of 11 and dear sister of Judy Rop, Lori (Verlin) Dotson, John (Karen) Collier and the late Jerry; loving daughter of the late Vernest and late Bonnie. Patsy was a mom to not only her children but also to all of their friends. She was passionate, stubborn (in a good way), fiery, caring to all and above all else loving. She liked music and LOVED Elvis. She was the cofounder of a longstanding family business, Suburban Sewer and Septic since 1970, where she worked side by side with her son Randy until her retirement in 2023. She worked hard, treated customers like family and worked just as hard behind the scenes as the guys out in the trenches.
I’m sitting at your grave at a complete loss for words. How has it been almost 3 years without you? How do I still feel completely lost without you? There were so many things left for me to experience in this lifetime, so many things I wanted you by my side for, and now I have this never ending guilt of getting those things without you. I don’t know how to continue on without you. I try my hardest to be strong and carry on with life because I know that’s what you would want me to do, but the world is no longer bright to me now that you’re gone. I’ve never felt more lost and confused in my life and I assumed it would get slightly easier by now but I’ve never been more wrong. I wish I could see you, have one more hug, one more conversation. I still talk to you, through the good and the bad, and I hope you can hear all of it. I hope I’m making you proud up there. I miss you, everyday. And I love you.
Sitting here sewing a blanket for a friend - I sew a lot with your machine - but tonight it’s making me sad. I catch myself asking you questions because I still don’t exactly know what I’m doing and I know you'd have the answer. I miss you so so so much. As sad as I am, I have to remember how incredibly lucky I was to know a love like yours. You’ve impacted my life so much and continue to do so even after you’ve gone. I love you Gramma!
I’m sitting here with you at the cemetery. It’s a beautiful day out. I wish so badly that I could hear your voice talk back to me. I wish I could give you a big hug. I miss you more than I could ever put into words.
I love you so much.
Lindsay
I never thought I would feel such loneliness as I did when my grandma passed, but here I am again. Feeling lost , lonely and sometimes confused. The 2 women whom I loved the most are angels in heaven. I whispered in your ears that it was ok but how I wish I could say so much more before you left me. Time really does not heal.
To know her was to love her. Gramma will always be one my favorite people. She was full of love, always fun to be around, always there whenever you needed her. She was one of a kind. Her family was her pride and joy. I learned so much from her and I hold all the memories of her very close. I miss her more than I could ever express. She loved cardinals, as do I, and now I see them so often and know those are my signs from her, signs I appreciate so much. I love you Gramma Pat.
Red Bird
Amazing Grace
Patsy Dotson Tribute
