Dorthea

Dorthea is a third cousin 1x removed.  Here is part of her story...the only part I know.

She was born about 1943 in Kansas as an only child.  During her lifetime she was regarded as retarded.  She was described as a happy person.

After her parents died she lived in a facility for mentally ill adults until the State of Kansas became aware of her situation.  She was moved to a group home for mentally disabled adults where she attended events such as concerts at the Wichita River Festival.

She hadn't been at the new group home long when she decided to take a bath before retiring to bed.   The group leader had no idea her diabetes had damaged her nerves so badly she could not feel the pain of hot water.

She took her bath.

When she walked back to her room the group leader saw her severely red feet under her robe.

Dorthea scalded herself in the tub.  She was rushed to a burn unit where she died two weeks later.