Dorothy Joan Slivinski (23 Sep 1926 - 4 Dec 2018)

In loving memory of Dorothy Joan Slivinski who sadly passed away on 4th December 2018

Dorothy Joan Slivinski, nee Nuthall was born and grew up in the Sneinton area of Nottingham. Originally on Davidson Street (since demolished), then St. Christopher Street. Born in the same year as The Queen, 1926, a 1st daughter to George and Janet, and 'a birthday present' to their 2nd son, Harry, who shared the same birthday a year earlier. Eventually, the Nuthall children numbered 7, with 2 more dying very young as was sadly the case in the days before the NHS and free care. They were in order: Ronald (died in infancy); Harry; Dorothy; George; Margaret; Betty; Brian (died in infancy); David; Tony. They all in turn had children, and Dorothy became Auntie Dorothy to them all. She hated having her name shortened, so was NEVER Dot, Dotty or Dolly (a name her grandmother used to call her). And when she had her own grandchildren, insisted she would be known as GRAN to them, and it became quite a challenge sometimes to actually find a GRAN birthday, Xmas, Easter and Mothering Sunday greeting card.
She was educated at Edale Road School For Girls in Sneinton, and left when she was 14 as was the norm. She found work in one of the many clothing manufacturers that were in Nottingham at the time, and was trained to be a tailoress; a title that she proudly carried for the rest of her days, although she fulfilled other roles. When she became 18 in 1944, she was sent to work at a glider factory at Tollerton aerodrome (as part of the war effort), applying the fabric to the fuselages, but the smell of the dope made her very ill and she had to leave after the first week. She then was transferred to work at The Raleigh cycle factory, still doing war-effort work, and when the war ended she remained there building bike wheels. During this time she met, fell in love with and married a Polish Air Force man, Janek Motyka, who was stationed at local RAF Newton and they had a son, Nicholas in 1949.
The marriage did not last, however, and later Dorothy found love with another Polish Air Force man Stanley Slivinski, whom she married and they had 2 sons, Robert and Steven. The marriage lasted until Stan's death in 1992.
In that time, Dorothy worked at St. Joseph's school on Derby Road, and later trained as an Auxiliary Nurse and worked at the old General Hospital on The Ropewalk, in both ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) and the Gervis Pearson wards, a role that she found the most fulfilling and rewarding. She would work there until she retired, some 21 years later. Then when those units were transferred to the new Queens Medical Centre, she stayed on at the General Hospital caring for elderly patients until she retired at the age of 67, which was most unusual for female workers in those days as they 'had' to retire when 60, but Dorothy was such a useful asset to the ward that the powers-that-be arranged to extend her service. The one thing her family never looked forward to, was that during mealtimes, she would launch into a detailed description of the latest operation that she had attended that day, in full graphic detail!
In late married life, she enjoyed holidaying abroad, and her favourite destination was Tenerife where she loved the sun and blue sky and she and Stan enjoyed many holidays there, making up, no doubt for all the many damp family caravan holidays in Ingoldmells.
After Stan's death, whilst still a nurse, she found love again with a former childhood friend, Frank, who had recently lost his wife.
They stayed together for 19 years until his death in 2011.
Together with Frank she took several cruises abroad and around the World, visiting Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and America. She loved New Orleans and Elvis's home, Graceland.
Although having received only a very elementary education, it was by today's standards, very good, but she strove to better herself informally and she had a thirst for knowledge and loved poetry, and could still remember and recite some poems she had learned at school even into her old age.
After Frank's death, she "lost her purpose in life" (as she often said) and as the years went by, she found it more and more difficult to climb the hill to her home, and had to stop going out except with family.
Dorothy had always been a very active, hard-working and independent lady until a broken hip from a fall resulted in a lengthy stay in hospital and convalescence. Returning back home, social services stepped in with Steven's help, and a care package was set up with Robert keeping a close eye on her, and carers at Respectful Care visiting 4 times a day.
Her carers always said that it was such a pleasure to help Dorothy as she was always so grateful thanking them for their help and always being cheerful and glad to see them.
She often spoke of her Grandchildren, Matthew, Lucy and James. She was extremely proud of their achievements and musical talents. She also enjoyed time spent holidaying with her Step Grandchildren and great grandchildren from Steven and Kim.
Dorothy, a much loved Sister, Mother, Auntie and Gran will be sadly missed and she holds a special place in all our hearts.

God bless and RIP, you've earned it.