Viewing: Friday (2/14) 2-4 & 7-9 PM Mass: Saturday (2/15) 10:30 AM @ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cemetery: Pinelawn Memorial Park (Farmingdale, NY) In lieu of flowers, donations to: Our Lady of Perpetual Help 526 59th Street Brooklyn, NY 11220 --or-- Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 96011 Washington, DC 20090-6011 www.alz.org - - - - - COMPLIMENTARY VALET PARKING AVAILABLE - - - - - Our Mom passed away unexpectedly on Monday February 10, 2014 at 88 years old. Mom was born in West Virginia, raised in Pennsylvania and moved to New York when she was eighteen. She met our dad George while working at Schrafts and they married in the the 1950's. They had three children, Barbara, Irene and Richard. She raised us mostly as a single mom throughout our teenage years and did what was necessary to keep us clothed, fed and educated. She instilled us with our catholic faith. We had to tow the line and she was all about tough love. We went to college, found careers and had families. Job well done, mom. Thanks for never giving up. Sadly we lost our brother Rysiu in 2007 and it hit us very hard. Mom's aren't supposed to outlive their children. He was always there for us, especially mom, and it was and continues to be a big loss for our family and those who knew him. We know he has been watching over us these last few years. Mom lived independently, until she was 82 in the same house where she lived for more than fifty years and raised her three children. She was a regular at the sunset park and bay ridge senior centers. She loved bingo and once in a while even hit the jackpot. She has been a long time parishioner at OLPH, where we attended grade school and daily 8 am mass many years ago. In recent years mom suffered memory loss and it was no longer safe for her to live alone. Mom was very clear that she wanted to remain living in her own home and her doctors agreed. So changes needed to be made. It wasn't an easy transition at first, but Mom did agree to let people begin to offer her assistance. Our family was fortunate to have been assisted by many wonderful caregivers over the recent years who were patient and have taken great care in attending to mom. We thank them all, including Marsha, Lena, and Mary (since deceased) and most especially Sharon who lived with and cared for mom for more than four years. We can't begin to thank you, Sharon for all the ways you cared for mom, always with a smile and a gentle touch. You became part of our family. Sharon knew when to back off and let Mom do her own thing. Mom might have been only 5 feet tall, but if she was unhappy with something, you knew it. If she was in a car and you were driving too quickly or not abiding by traffic laws, Mom would let you know. If you were invading her space, you heard about it. But yet, she never wanted to be a burden to anyone. At 85, she had a total knee replacement and all the subsequent therapy. Her doctors said she could do it and she did. Now Mom & Rysiu are together again. We miss you and love you Mom. Thanks for everything and God bless you.