Dolli Kilmach was born in 1950 near Edinburgh to Polish parents and has led a life full of meaningful experiences that continue to inspire and define her legacy.
Dolli is one of ten siblings. Tragically, 4 of her siblings died in Poland, and she never knew them. Two of her sisters, Helen and Olga, were born in Poland and came to live in Tranent, near Edinburgh. Dolli and her other siblings were born in Scotland in quick succession: Maggi in 1949, Dolli in 1950, John in 1951, and Otto in 1952.
Dolli‘s father was a war veteran and served in the Polish Army. At the age of 4, Dolli and the family moved to Bradford. Her two sisters Olga and Helen brought her and her three siblings up after her mother died when Dolli was 5 years old.
Dolli attended school in Bradford, and later went to an all–girls grammar school. Dolli is a very creative person. She had an affinity for domestic science, particularly for sewing and knitting and other handiwork when at school.
Her early aspirations included teaching, and she left school at 16 to pursue a nursery nurses’ course. She then went on to Saint Osyth’s College to train as a teacher from 1969 to 1972. She taught in infant schools in Ilford, Newport Pagnell, Earls Barton and Kingsthorpe before retiring at 60 years old.
Dolli got married at Ilford registry office in 1973. Followed by another ceremony in All Saints Church in Bradford. Dolli has two sons, Carl and Oskar, and is also a proud grandmother of 6 grandchildren.
In the present day, Dolli lives a quiet life in Abington and enjoys reminiscing on memories of her family’s past. These memories are collected and kept in a book courtesy of her sisters–in–law‘s love and curiosity for their ancestry. In its pages, the stories of lives once lived find new light such as those about farming flax, dyeing it, spinning it and weaving it into tablecloths.
Now Dolli speaks fondly of her past and carries with her the memories of many, including her late sisters and mother and father. Some of her favourite memories consist of the time she shared with them, which may have been limited, but Dolli expresses her gratitude to have ever been able to experience them.
Dolli also loves to travel, boasting a rich travel history ranging from Sweden, Poland, Estonia and is planning another trip to Poland with her son soon.
Dolli has lived alone for over 20 years. Her ex-husband died last year. She receives regular
visits from her two sons and six grandchildren. She values living life to the fullest with the little time we have and leaving the world with no regrets.
To this day, she continues to share her stories and spread a valuable message. Live every moment and seize every day as you never know what is around the corner.
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