Monday, December 19, 2022
Aunt Thelma was part of my life since the very beginning, as I see she is even listed in my baby book of first visitors. She was my mother's dearest friend in the Ottenstein family, along with aunt Lena, they were a threesome, not just a sister-in-laws. Aunt Thelma worked with my mother on designing and sewing my wedding gown. They both were excellent seamstresses and shared that love. Aunt Thelma hosted my wedding wedding shower in her home in Springfield and made it very special. She actually journeyed to Texas to visit me and my family to attend the Bar Mitzvah of my son, Daniel who she adored. We had a wonderful time that won't be forgotten. Always generous with her time and talent she gifted me a complete seder setting in gorgeous porcelain and gold. It will be cherished for generations. She spent many hours together with my mother and long conversations on the phone. I spoke to her weekly as well since coming to Texas. She she kept me up on all the news of the family and her health, etc. She was frustrated by the tragic glaucoma she suffered, keeping her from the sewing and art projects she loved. I admired her greatly for her volunteering at the school where she was loved by all. When she got her new computerized sewing machine, she gifted her old one to my daughter, Victoria who took lessons and made Aunt Thelma a tote bag as her first project. Of late, I missed our conversations as I realized her memory was failing and it became more difficult to speak regularly the way we always did. I missed our sharing and laughter. We always could laugh recalling silly stories. Aunt Thelma was also wise and deep and replaced my mother with her shoulder to cry on and compassion when trouble struck, as in life's ups and downs is inevitable. I will miss all these things about Aunt Thelma. My condolences to the rest of the family on this sad day. She was a big part of my life in all its stages and will be remembered with so much love. Her life and memory is for a blessing, Harriet (cousin Hattie) Ottenstein
