shoes
Catalog Number
1998.32.1a-bDescription
Pair of small leather shoes, each made with high tops, eight eyelets and a long leather tongue; long black woven shoestrings are attached; a leather reinforcing strip in on back of each shoe; shoe ends just forward of the ankle--wearer's foot may have ended at,or possibly above, the heel; a leather sole has been nailed on one shoe and is quite worn; other shoe has leather lifts protected by a hard rubber sole; possibly made from regular shoes, after lopping off the instep and toe sections.History
These shoes were worn by Dorothy Vanderbie Von Ins (1925-1967) of Holland, MI. I spoke with Dorothy’s sister-in-law, Jean Vanderbie, on 6-26-2014.According to Jean, Dorothy married June Von Ins. Dorothy’s parents were George and Reka Vanderbie.
Dorothy was born without hands or feet. Despite this handicap, she was an accomplished painter.
She grew up in Holland at 334 West 16th and attended Holland High. In her adult life, she worked from home for Howard Miller, painting roses onto the clock faces.