Tuesday, September 10, 2013
It is with treasured memories and profound sadness that I acknowledge the passing of my dear Aunt Helen.
Each of us have favorite memories with her, all different in topic I am certain, but herein I share conversations in recent years when she and I would indulge in reminiscing.
Memories from her youth,
…that she was named after her mother’s sister, Helen Coleman Reaman, also known as “Aunt Nellie”
…of days gone by living on Saint Charles Street, of Newark’s Ironbound Section, Down Neck, and the Farmer’s Wagons that came through the neighborhoods selling fresh fruit and vegetables. “25 bananas for 25 cents”, Aunt Helen recalled.
…of her father’s homemade Dandelion Wine and his Limburger Cheese on a string
…of her mother’s infamous Potato Pancake recipe and how her brothers and sisters “stood in line for hot pancakes right off of the skillet”.
…when she held a High School Award for typing having been just 1 of 2 students to represent her HS in this competition
Memories from her adult years,
… having a unique relationship with Anna May, her sister and my Mother Dear
…of regular ventures to a local Polish Dance Hall and of learning a Polish phrase together when asked to dance [and forever etched in my mind phonetically as “Yanyee maga movitz popolska”, in loose translation, “I don’t understand Polish.”]
…and of the Wedding Day to her beloved Bill Griffing. She chose Anna May to be Maid of Honor. In kind, Helen would stand next to my mother as Matron of Honor in her marriage to my dad, Philip Possiel.
… when Anna May would stand as Godmother to Helen’s first born, William, and when Helen would stand Godmother to Anna May’s first born, Barbara.
…with an extraordinary sisterhood, a unique friendship.
Time and again Aunt Helen would reflect on early years with Uncle Bill,
…that although he was “uninsurable” due to a heart condition, the Air Force took him anyway. That he would serve 3 years in Mississippi and could only come home twice in all that time. As such, she and young Bill would travel some 36 hours by train to visit Uncle Bill - - and I quote, “even though young Bill was fussy and wouldn’t sleep on the train”. [Yet, I cannot recall any fussy references to her youngest son, Eddie…ahem…]
Sometimes we would revisit her very first plane trip…to California to join my family already there…playing tourists and sightseeing Los Angeles…of her shaking hands with Lawrence Welk during one of his TV Show tapings. She was well aware that my thoughts always, always went to her whenever I would hear a Lawrence Welk reference, rerun, or hear accordion music like his, or that of the famous Lennon Sisters harmony that his show introduced to the world.
Her next air travel adventure was to be with a friend from work…to Ireland, the Motherland…County Cork…bending backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone…visiting historic Castles.
As for me,
...in my youth I would ask Aunt Helen to be my Confirmation Sponsor and subsequently took her name “Helen” as my own to honor her.
…I told her many times of my admiration of her independent ways and self-sufficiency to which many times she would reply, “I had no choice”. I would remind her that she actually did have choices – and that she did what she needed to with absolute grace and dignity.
…from time to time I would have my son, Jonathan, and my daughter, Alanna, join me in a visit to Bridgeway. My beloved, Alan, was most always at my side. It was, and will always remain, important that they know the Matriarch of the Schroeck Family. She is a part of their Heritage after all.
…I will keep the memory of Helen Griffing alive for as long as I live. That is what love, and family, is all about after all.
…God Bless, Aunt Helen. Your kind spirit will remain in those that love you forever more...
Loving niece,
Karen
