Aunt Dorothy transformed broken dolls

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By Linda Hanabarger

In 1987, Dorothy Ridlen became a member of our family.

Aunt Dorothy had been widowed for a number of years when she met great-uncle Wilbur Meyer at a Primitive Baptist Association meeting.

Wilbur was 78 at the time, and also widowed. The two hit it off, and a year later they were married.

Before her retirement, Aunt Dorothy worked as a licensed practical nurse in Granite City. While living there, she became interested in dolls and doll repair. Many china head dolls became display items once again after Aunt Dorothy rebuilt their bodies and sewed new clothes.


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