For example , she would invent meals . Son , Perez , explained , “ There was this one dish : it was like a seven layer cake , but it was made with bread . And she would put peanut butter in there , and she would put pureed eggplant in there - and then she would layer in some peppers ! Anyway , this thing , she ’ d build it up to several layers , and then you ’ d cut through it and you ’ d see all these colors and stripes . You ’ d have no idea what it was . But she just thought that it was really beautiful and exciting . We were all afraid to eat those things ! … And another time , she lost her purse and couldn ’ t find it for - I don ’ t know - it was probably a couple of weeks . And then she cleaned the refrigerator out - and there it was in the back of the refrigerator .”
She was also recognized for her loving kindness – not just with her children and grandchildren , but within her community . According to Perez , “ Dorothy Fisher was quite a bit older and mother knew her very well . [ When Ms . Fisher could no longer see ], Mother used to go up and read to her .”
Lone Woman
Life changed when Fred and Lea divorced in 1970 . They had endured marital struggles for several years prior . Per Elizabeth , “ She often talked to me about the end of her marriage and how upsetting that was for her - and how she didn ’ t understand it . I believe it bothered her until