Remembering Eydie

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My sister Eydie was born on October 8th in 1942 on Staten Island, NY. She lived on the Island and worked in Manhattan as a legal secretary. In the late 60s Eydie married and lived on the Island until she moved to Elmira, New York. From there Eydie lived in Toms River, NJ where she raised her children, Steve and Lynn. In 1984 she moved to Lakewood, NJ where she met, dated and married Lou. Before retiring a few years ago Eydie was a sales representative for the Gusmer Corporation in Lakewood. Since retiring, Eydie loved to spend time with the ones that she loved so much.

In September, 2008 Eydie was devastated by the news that her daughter Lynn was diagnosed with cancer. Over the years Eydie tried to help in many ways as she and sometimes Lou would travel to be with Lynn, Gary and their four daughters. On many occasions Eydie would stay with them for weeks at a time. Eydie loved Lynn so much and talked to her every day on the phone. They were so very close. In October of 2011 Lynn lost her fight with cancer and my sister was so crushed by the news and grieved that loss ever since. Since then she spoke of missing Lynn every day. On Saturday, January 19th, Eydie was reunited with her daughter. I imagine that it was glorious!

I will always remember the seasons that I had with my beautiful sister. The first season was my childhood and teen years. I cannot think of English Muffin pizzas and not remember Eydie making them for my sister Nancy and me on those Friday nights when she would babysit while our parents shopped for groceries. I remember thinking about how beautiful my big sister was when she was in high school. I loved being around my sister in those days and was so happy when she was happy.

The next season with Eydie was when I came home from the Army and lived just a few miles from her in Toms River, NJ. I remember making whiskey sours with her in her blender and spending time drinking wine and enjoying conversation and TV at her place. I will never ever forget her 30th birthday party – we all ate, danced, drank and had a great time at a place in Toms River.

Most of all I remember in that season how she cared for my wife Ellen when Ellen went blind. If I was out of town on business Ellen stayed with Eydie. If Ellen needed to go 70 miles to the eye hospital in Philadelphia, Eydie was so happy to take her if I could not get off work. I do not know what I would have done in those years without my big sister.

The last season that I want to share was my long distance relationship with Eydie. Since I lived so far away our times together were spent mainly in New Jersey with Mom or Mississippi with Dad. A memorable time in Mississippi was the day that Eydie, granddaughter Cady and a pregnant daughter Lynn visited the home of the king – Graceland in Memphis. We all laughed so much – I laughed a lot around my sister. Eydie was always so full of life and joy.

Lastly I remember how, when my wife Ellen passed away in 1994, Eydie, Mom and Nancy came to Kansas City and greatly helped me and my kids in that dark time. Over the years I had so many great phone calls with her - I loved talking with my sister on the phone. Eydie was such an authentic person. I always knew when she was hurting and felt such camaraderie of spirit with her. I will miss her so much.

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