Memories of Mom: They Called Her Dutch

All of us have something in common. We all have parents. No child comes into this world without the union of two cells: one from a mother and one from a father. Not every Mother, not every Father do a good job of parenting. One of the main reasons I never chose to have a child is because, even as a youngster, I could clearly see how much work, devotion, suffering, time, energy, and resources go into raising a happy, healthy person. Parenting is not a job for the faint of heart!

Memories of Mom is a true story of a mother who made her family her life's work. Mother raised seven children, sometimes single-handedly. My father was an alcoholic, and couldn't always provide his share of responsibility or relationship. Still, together, they tried.

About the Life of Mary Catherine Dutch Montgomery Tavenner

Memories of Mom: They Called Her Dutch is the life of a woman who preferred privacy to notoriety. When you read the life story of Mary Catherine Dutch Montgomery Tavenner, you will pause to reflect upon your own life story, your parents, your parenting skills, your family life — but you will absolutely be inspired, motivated, and emotionally charged by the singular courage of the one woman, I called Mother.

Most all of us would love to write a book. We say that we'd like to produce a book about our own travails and adventures, or about someone else's life journey, someone we may have admired or abhorred. I have had the desire, opportunity, resources, self-discipline, and privilege to prepare for you, the reader, the journey of my mother, and in my opinion, the centerpiece of the Montgomery/Tavenner Clan.

Mother loved her city of Lorain, Ohio, and always embraced life in her hometown, as well as those most dear to her. In writing Mom's story, I have decided to include those who were so much a part of her formation, her heritage, and ours.