Thank you for attending our hassle-free AbsenTEA Party and thanks to those of you who made a donation in honor or memory of that special someone in your life. Your gift will keep on giving by helping other women learn to read and write, learn English, become a U.S. citizen, earn a GED, or get a better job…among many other achievements.
Instead of getting dressed up to attend an event, many relaxed in the comfort of their own home, while enjoying a cup of tea, and reflected about that special woman in their lives.
Maybe you are the person who participated, or the honoree, or someone who is curious about the touching stories that people have shared. Whoever you are, I know you will be moved by these beautiful memories.
“Mother is a verb. It’s something you do. Not just who you are.” – Dorothy Canfield Fisher
[one_third]
In honor or memory of:
Regina Ahern
All of the men in my family
who cope with dyslexia
every day
Kathy Anderson
Barbara Andrle
Dorcas Bailey
Pauline A. Berkowitz
Brenda Boone
Sandy Burnett
Beverley Cairns
Ellen Chetwynd
Rose Chodorow
Jane Dickens
Irene Dickson
Jo Deaton Duckworth
Ruth Marie Elcome
Dorothy Finkel
Tillie Fulbright
Ruth Demich Good
Aurora Guitarte de Herbón
Ethel Himberg
Elizabeth Hoke
Ruby Ellis Holt
Eleanor Jasion
Virginia Jeffress
Grace Sadler Jenkins
Fay H. Jones
Hannah Hart Jones
Lillian Kelly
Dr. Sandy Kessler
Dorothy R. Kilminster
Lottie Kreismar
Hoechul Kwon
Alice M. May
Beatrice J. McFall
Lucille Mitchell
Robena Moore
Virginia Munn
Edna Newell
Myrtle Cheek Noah
Helen S. Pennock
Catherine Reynolds
Tanya Robbins
Ethel A. Rosenblum
Frida Anna Schaefer
Mary Louise Shields
Becky Spence
Isabelle Stuart Staples
Pheba Swagerty
Virginia Tee
Luella Thomas
Rosa C. Weaver
Renee A. Weeks
Lucille Weiss
Anne Woodward
Mrs. Marion Wren
Sammy Klein Wuest
Martha S. York
Wilma Feil Zeringue
Lucile Zollinger
[/one_third]
[two_third_last]
Memories of those honored
All of the men in my family who
cope with dyslexia every day
“My mother helped my father graduate college and graduate school by writing all of his papers. She never received a degree herself after her high school diploma.”
– Deborah Day
Kathy Anderson
“My wonderful mom, Kathy, lives in Stuart, VA. She has always loved listening to music and her and I share that hobby. Every year, I make her a CD of new and old favorites and we always enjoy listening to them together. She is a fun, special, and energetic lady and I am a very lucky daughter.”
– Jennie Harris
Barbara Andrle
“The family of Barbara Andrle would like to share their sincere gratitude for the love, support, friendship and prayers given to them. She was an exquisite and loving mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was an advocate for all children, animals and wounded warriors. She embraced each moment of her life with grace and dignity. Her wish was to have everyone continue her legacy of life’s celebration.”
– The Family of Barbara Andrle
Dorcas Bailey
“My mother was happiest when she had a book in her hand, busy reading – especially if she was reading history.”
– Caroline & Michael Hornblow
Pauline A. Berkowitz
“My 98 year old mother was born in London and starts out each day with a cup of tea. What a perfect way to honor her on Mother’s Day.”
– Roger M. Berkowitz
Brenda Boone
“My mom is the best cook, she still cooks for my family very often. She taught me to be an accepting parent and to roll with the punches that come along in life. She gives unconditional support and I appreciate her more than she will ever know. Love you mom!!”
– Julie Cummins
Beverley Cairns
“My mother, Bev Cairns, loved living in North Carolina! As an educational psychology researcher at UNC, she visited schools all over the state, including Chatham County. I know she would support the important work done by Chatham Literacy!”
– Charles Cairns
Ellen Chetwynd
“My daughter Ellen has completed her PhD in public health with a specialty in maternal and child care.”
– Fran Chetwynd
Irene Dickson
“Best mom in the world…hands down!”
– Wes Newell
Jo Deaton Duckworth
“Without a mom to listen to me read and encourage me I don’t know where I would be. Thank you! I love you!”
– Mary-Douglas Andrews
Ruth Marie Elcome
“My mother lived an exemplary life as wife, mother, and dedicated volunteer, and made it seem effortless.”
– Barbara Harris
Dorothy Finkel
“My mother, Dorothy Finkel, would have been 100 years old on May 9, 2017. I want to thank her for teaching me how to read before she sent me off to kindergarten.”
– Paul Finkel
Tillie Fulbright
“My mom, Tillie Fulbright, was one of the most gracious women I have ever known. If I am ever 1/4 of the woman she was I will be a good woman. I miss her so much, but I was so lucky to have her in my life for 81 years.”
– Debbie Garrett
Aurora Guitarte de Herbón
“My mother is an example to follow. She is an extremely positive and smart woman with an amazing sense of humor and artistic talents. She has inspired me to be a teacher as well as an independent and empowered woman. Despite living 5,600 miles away from me, Mom is present in every single moment of my day. We have a special connection and a profound love and respect for each other.”
– Julia Herbón
Ruby Ellis Holt
“My mother Ruby Woody Ellis Holt, was born on a red dirt farm in the middle of Chatham County, the middle child of 11, in the midst of the Great Depression. Despite, or perhaps because of, the hardships of those times, my mother always loved reading and writing…and read every book she could borrow, often late into the night by the light of an oil lamp. My mother still reads every day. She also loves to write. She is known for sending beautifully handwritten notes and poems just when folks need them the most. Her greatest gift to our family is her sharing this love of literacy.”
– Susan Holt Helmer
Eleanor Jasion
“My mom Eleanor Jasion is a lover of books and is reading almost at all hours of the day. Always sharing her favorites with family and friends. I imagine this is why her brain and vocabulary is so sharp at 90 years old!”
– Linda Booker
Grace Sadler Jenkins
“She was always there to comfort me when I was sick.”
– Linda J. Barnard
Fay H. Jones
“Friend to all, lover of family, inspiring – great cook!”
– Mr. and Mrs. W. Mike York Jr.
Hannah Hart Jones
“As a kid, I remember my mom being in a book club where once a year she had to present a book to the ladies of the “Friday Afternoon Club.” I thought it was cool that even moms had to do book reports.”
– Katy McReynolds
Dr. Sandy Kessler
“Retiring from NC State P.S. Dept. after almost 40 years of fine teaching and service to students of N.C.”
– Dr. Dan Graham
Dorothy R. Kilminster
“Best mother in the world!”
– Dorothy Lebeau
Lottie Kreismar
“Always interested in education.”
Hoechul Kwon
“My mother-in-law, Hoechul Kwon, is fierce. She was a VP at a major bank in Korea at a time when women did not work out of the home, and she accepts her American daughter-in-law without question. Even though she only speaks Korean and I only speak English, she has shown me what it means to give up your inhibitions, cluck like a chicken if that’s what you want for dinner, and just plain old communicate!”
– Desiree Cho
Alice M. May
“My mother devoted her working life to teaching 3rd grade in her home town eastern N.C. in a public school, I wish to note!!”
– Jim May
Beatrice J. McFall
“My mom loved to talk. It didn’t matter if no one was in the room to listen, she would continue along with her stories. If I gave her a book though, there was no way to engage her until the book was completed! I miss her stories a lot.”
– Patti Liegl
Lucille Mitchell
“My mom had an infectious laugh that warmed our hearts. Even when I was grown and came to visit, I would sneak into the house and play the first two notes of ‘Singin’ the Blues’ on the piano, and she would scream ‘Don’s here,’ and come running out of the kitchen to greet me! Miss her a lot!”
– Paul Mitchell
Edna Newell
“My mom loved to play games and that always brought smiles and laughter to those around her. It is said that with age a child becomes like her parent and I am glad that I am like my mom in that way.”
– Vicki Newell
Helen S. Pennock
“Mothy, as we called her, lived almost 102 wonderful years. Born on a dairy farm in Chester County, PA she married my dad, a college professor and lived the academic life. Books were their life blood! She was able to read til her death.”
– Judy Lilley
Mary Louise Shields
“My grandmother. She always had a book she was reading. She had a collection of books for her grandchildren. I will always treasure her love of reading.”
– Mary-Douglas Andrews
Becky Spence
“My first grade teacher at Henry Siler School. She taught me how to read! I loved her class and often called myself ‘Ms. Spence’ when I was pretending and practicing on my siblings. Thank you for the gift of reading.”
– Mary-Douglas Andrews
Isabelle Stuart Staples
“My mother was never without a book – or a pile of books – and a library. She was a lifelong learner of people’s ideas and stories and she passed that curiosity to any child she met.”
– Val Proffitt
Pheba Swagerty
“While living in the pre-civil rights legislation era, Pheba was committed to life-long self-development despite obstacles and transferred this ambition to her husband and children.”
– Lynett Tempest
Renee A. Weeks
“‘I hated when my mom came to ‘help’ me with the baby,’ a friend of mine told me. ‘Really?!’ I exclaimed. There has been no one more helpful or comforting to me when both my children were born than my mother! Here’s to you, Ma!”
– Desiree R. Lindbom-Cho
Lucille Weiss
“My mother taught me to read when I was three. Walks to the library for books soon became routine – and at age four I desperately wanted my own library card to check out books. My mother talked the librarian into putting me on the books as five years old so I could have a card with my name on it.”
– Lynn Zempel
Mrs. Marion Wren
“Mom and I enjoyed picking strawberries from our garden then making strawberry short cake for my dad’s birthday on May 22nd – delicious!”
– Mrs. Margaret de St. Aubin
Sammy Klein Wuest
“When I was in Middle School, my mom and I took a train from our little Iowa town to Chicago to hear the Met. Opera, on tour. Loved hearing my 1st LIVE performance of ‘Aida’…(elephants and all!!) with my mom!!”
– Barbara Fritschel
Martha S. York
“Creative, educator, business woman, gardener.”
– Mr. and Mrs. W. Mike York Jr.
[/two_third_last]