Mary Bridget Culhane. Who was she? My older sister; a nurse by profession; a loving Aunt who took me and her niece, Caity, along on many trips to see the wonderful world; a vocalist; a gemologist (according to QVC) and a steadfast friend to a select few. She was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to a devout Irish Catholic family. She recently celebrated her 64th birthday July 30th.

She got her nickname "Dit" because when I was little I could not pronounce the word "sister" correctly. It came out "Dit-Do". For Bridget, her love of nursing began in childhood when she read her first Cherry Ames book, about a nurse who was also a detective. She attended the University of Pittsburgh and received her Master Degree in Nursing and a second Master specializing in non-profit organizations. Bridget later accepted the position of Deputy Director of the Oncology Nursing Society. Whatever she did, she did it beautifully and well. She always told me she had an eidetic memory (photographic) and was one point shy of being a member of Mensa.

During most of her adult life, she was plagued with being overweight and having arthritis in both her knees. She had to use a scooter to get around. When my former husband accepted a job transfer to Oklahoma, Bridget decided to take early retirement and move with me and my mother. She found her true niche in life at Prairie Rose, a gracious retirement community on Riverside. She joined the choir and met Richard Hicks, the choir director. He brought music back into her life and she never stopped singing. She would meet her friends at Prairie Rose at her dining table almost every day. Each week she received the Holy Eucharist, played Trivial Pursuit and did secretarial work for the choir. Sorry, fellow Catholics, she did not play Bingo. I would call Bridget every evening to ask about her day. If anything, I was her biggest challenge in life. She continuously tried to enlighten me about the realities of life, pointing out the things I should do differently. I was her work in progress!

Bridget's vitality was continually threatened by the ailments she endured. She handled them as though they were just irritating facts of life. Her last words to me were, "Colleen, you can never imagine what it is like, to be me." Though her suffering was great, she was determined to stay at Prairie Rose. God answered her prayer. I am grateful, but can't imagine life without her.

I love you Bridget. I always will.

Until we meet again, my dear Dit.

Memorial Services were Tuesday, August 18, 2015, 11:00 a.m., in the St. Mary Catholic Church Chapel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151