The Quiet Kind of Unforgettable

Written by Cait, a longtime family friend who knew Hootsie simply as “Mom.”

Though many knew her as Hootsie, I knew her simply as “Mom,” as did many within our circle of friends and colleagues. It fit her. She had a quiet but commanding presence that made people feel welcomed, heard, and somehow looked after.

She wasn’t loud or attention-seeking, but somehow she always commanded the room. Mom had a quiet toughness about her, the kind that only comes from living through hard times and coming out stronger on the other side. She was sharp as a whip, endlessly observant, and had a perfectly timed sense of humor that could catch everyone off guard.

She would often sit quietly, taking everything and everyone in, and then suddenly say something so unexpected and funny that the entire room would burst into laughter. That was her gift. She never needed many words to make an impact.

Mom loved life in so many forms. I always enjoyed playing card games with her or sitting together watching live concerts on the lawn at Orkney Springs. She loved baseball, and I still laugh thinking about how amused she was watching me sweating in the stands while we fanned ourselves with those little handheld motor fans. Those moments were simple, but special.

Truthfully, Mom and I did not have all that much in common, but it never mattered to her. She always listened with genuine curiosity to whatever I had to say. She made people feel heard in that quiet, understated way that was so uniquely her.

Mom loved deeply and faithfully. She loved God, and she was incredibly proud of her family. It was impossible not to see how much Gail meant to her. You could see it in the twinkle in her eye whenever Gail spoke about her career or their adventures together. Their bond was undeniable, truly thick as thieves, and the love and care Gail gave her clearly meant the world to her.

More than any one memory, it’s her presence that stays with me. Mom brought strength, wit, resilience, humor, and warmth wherever she went, and those who knew her felt it. She was unforgettable in the quietest and best ways.