Sunday, September 09, 2007

Aunt SoLittleAndCute 1914 - 2007

She was Grandma Sylvia's sister. She was a librarian, and could tell you what section in the Dewey decimal system a car's license plate would take you to (very fun game to play on a long journey!) SingsLullabyes and MakesBooksForGrandkids and I would pick her up in PortCity, NJ on our way to my summer camp and we would picnic together on the Delaware before they would drop me off.

She gave me and Cousin ResemblesAndieMcDowell wonderful old-fashioned rag dolls with dresses and pinafores. I still have mine. She knitted sweaters for me.

She was so fiesty and fiery. She was tiny - so tiny that she had to get her shoes mail-ordered from a firm called something like Cinderella Shoes. She barely topped my shoulder.

She never married, and lived alone in a 2 room apartment in PortCity. Her best friend lived next door and they were fiercely close until her friend's death.

Aunt SoLittleAndCute reminded me of a combination of Miss Marple and a somewhat aloof tabby cat. She was loving, but irritable. She had a generous heart and a sharp tongue. She was really, very, very smart and loved to work puzzles. Like Grandpa Emeritus, she did the NYTimes crossword everyday.

I admired her hugely, loved her dearly, and will miss her sorely.

17 comments:

susan said...

She sounds like a very cool woman. I know those memories will be a comfort.

Yankee T said...

She sounds absolutely wonderful. My life was filled with great aunts who made a huge impression on me-still do, although they've been dead for years now. Hang on to those memories.
((Liz))

debangel said...

Madeleine will find her great company, I'm sure =)

{{{squeeze}}}

jo(e) said...

(o)

Magpie said...

I'm sorry. She sounds great.

Anonymous said...

It's a wonderful tribute. I love the idea of the Dewey Decimal license plate game.

(Liz).

KLee said...

I'm sorry that you've faced so much loss recently. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Antropóloga said...

May her memory be a blessing.

Anonymous said...

Very sorry.

purple_kangaroo said...

She sounds wonderful. I love your description of her. May she rest in peace, and may your family be given comfort and lots of wonderful memories to hold.

Anonymous said...

She sounds like someone I would have loved to know. I am sorry for your loss.

Heather said...

I'm so sorry for yet another loss - your family members sound as if they were true gems, replenishing the treasure box of heaven.

(hugs)

elswhere said...

(o)

ccw said...

I'm so sorry that your family is dealing with another loss.

AuntSoLittleAndCute reminds me of my Great Aunt Louise. She was 4'11" and drove sitting on a big JcPenney catalog. She also never married and made clothes and dolls for us. She died when I was 5 and I still remember her like it was yesterday.

(((Liz)))

kathy a. said...

((( liz )))

your great-aunt sounds so terrific. my great-aunt nancy is the one i remember.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you posted such a moving tribute to our special aunt. I am inspired by how sharp she was up until the end of her long life. My older son will never forget our last visit w/ her in August when we played Scrabble and she and he together scored a 50 point bonus w/ the word "engrave(d)." These memories are definitely a comfort at this very sad time.

jenn said...

I'm so sorry Liz. You have a wonderful tribute to your aunt, here. She sounds like a real neat lady.

xo
jenn