Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to Eleanore’s family.
I am Mary Crowley’s sister, Alice.
Alice Zajaczkowski

Dear Aunt Eleanor, I’m sitting here trying to find the words. The words to express what a beautiful gentle loving Aunt you were, to express how dearly you will be missed. I telephoned you at Branford Hospice. They say that hearing is the last thing we lose. I hope you heard my words and already knew this as you began your journey home. The Nurse that answered, so kindly put the phone to your ear and left us for me to say my goodbyes. I have so many wonderful memories of both you and Uncle Ronnie. Visiting in Enfield and of course the summers at the cabin in Maine. I can remember one night like it was yesterday. As the Aunts and Uncles gathered in the evening to play cards and we all watched an Apollo launch before the cousins split up in the bunk beds, laughing, being silly, throwing our socks over the wall at each other until we got a reminder to settle down. We would for a bit and then we were then back to our antics! That was the beauty of Crowley times together. They were always full of laughter and great times. I’m sure we laughed until we drifted off to sleep. My fondest memories in recent years was to truly experience your loving nature as an adult. At an age where I could understand what a sincere loving soul you were. I said everything a few days before you passed that I really wanted so badly to say in person. Of all the things I shared during that 15 minute call the thing I will always hold nearest to my heart is whenever we would meet at a family reunion or wake, you would always seek me out. You would take both of my hands and completely encompass them in yours and look deep into my eyes ask how I was doing and tell me how much you lioved me. I was so moved by your kindness and sincerity. My greatest wish when I became aware you were ill was to return that gift of love. To take both of your hands and hold them in mine and tell you just how much that meant when you did that for me. I never got that chance. I know in your heart you know that, I expressed it over and over on the phone. That gift you always gave to me I wanted so badly to give that same gift to you. Kathy, you’ve had many heavy crosses to bear, please find comfort in the wonderful memories of your mother and the love she had for you and Heather. Time and distance may have kept us apart but my familiy memories are always near and dear to my heart. Your mom will always be with you in those memories and she is returning home to a large and loving family who watch over us all until we meet once again. I pray for you to be blessed with the strength to bear yet another difficult cross. Despite how old we are our mommies will always be our mommies and with that comes that sense of a safety net of a mother’s loving arms. God bless you, you will all be in my prayers. Love, Jane

Rest in peace Auntie. Tell our fathers we said hi and send our love.

Kathy hang onto the memories of all those wonderful vacations you had with her. Those memories will get you through the sad times. She always talked about those vacations and how she enjoyed them.