Amy Doris (Perkins) Bethke

Amy Doris Perkins Bethke was my Mom. She was adopted by Elizabeth and Kendall Perkins, in St Louis, at the early age of 4 or so. She knew she had bio siblings, but was young enough that over time, the memories faded and she wasnt sure how many, what gender, or older or younger. Amy was blessed to grow up travelling the world, having experiences many only dreamed about. She was a debutante and her parents had plans for her - she didn't quite have for herself. Mom wanted to go to Nursing school and learn a trade. Her parents sent her to finishing school to learn how to be a trophy wife. Unfortunatly - Mom wasnt really cut out for that. And also unfortunately, she never had any training to be the wife she really wanted to be - being raised with servants and butlers. Mom was the blacksheep and she felt it her whole life. She loved her brother, John Perkins, the bio child of Elizabeth and Ken. And she mostly loved and felt love from her adopted Grandfather John William Macivor - Minister of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in St, Louis and once purported officially to be the most brilliant man in the pulpit west of the Mississippi. But Bobo (her Grandfather) died too early. Mom was raised to be the tropy daughter to the bio son the parents poured the attention and affection on. Money isnt everything. But it wasnt all bad! 50 years later - to the year, Mom was approached by a private investigator who said one of her bio siblings was trying to find her. This opened a whole new chapter and ending for my Moms life. She learned she had 2 siblings, Gene and Judy. Judy growing up just miles from Mom in St, Louis. So close! Gene was in Virginia. They all made plans for a reunion and I was so lucky to attend with my Mom. Best trip ever. From this day forward, Mom knew unconditional love from what family was meant to be. And she understood the difference. The best part - they all together reached out to their Bio Mother for the first time ever - and she'd already had another family - all adults and living in California - she was anxious and excited to meet her first family again. Tho was a little awkward as family #2 knew nothing about family #1. But a tribute to Leona (bio Mom) and how she raised her kids - they welcomed all with open arms. Leona died not too much longer but makes my heart so warm that my Mom, and her siblings got to spend real time with their Mom, and Leona got to spend time with all her kids. Amy married Roland Bethke in 1960 in St, Louis, Mo. They had 2 daughters, Mercedes and Karen. Karen has one daughter, Keshia. Mom died of lung cancer in 2004. I miss her every. She was a beautiful soul and there wasnt anyone who didn't like her.