Sunday, January 23, 2011
Dear Peter, Martha and family,
I am so sorry to learn of your dear mother's death, a day after her funeral, or I would have attended. I remember her fondly from my childhood as the daughter of Evie and Ben Leake. You probably wouldn't remember me Peter, as you were younger than me, but our parents were close socially as well and golfing friends through the years. I played with Mamie and remember when Martha was born. My mother also was a RVCC 18 hole golf women's champ and I remember many days spent there, as well as at Betty and Pete's home with my mom and/or my dad. When we were kids, our moms were very close. I believe your Dad and my Mom went through the Plainfield elementary school system together before Mom's Hartridge days but I'm vague on that. I ran into Betty years ago at Lord and Taylor's and she was still every bit as delightful as she always was. She knew my grandmother as well, and always welcomed her into the Wardrobe with love and reminiscense of the past. It was a long family relationship that lost touch when my parents moved to Florida in 1989 and began to age. I remember when your Dad and Mamie died too. That was a shock. Now all of our parents are gone. My mom in 1998, my dad in 2008 and Betty in 2011. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you Peter, and Martha especially. It's hard losing our parents. You also lost Mamie, as I lost my 47 year old brother Tommy (my only sibling) as well in 1999. I will be praying for you all as the days and weeks are filled with difficult tasks. Thank God for all the wonderful memories that sustain us. God bless you and may God hold your loved ones gently in the palm of his hands.
With Sympathy,
Margaret Ellen Leake Shilay
