Suzy
Aunt Priscilla was my lovely Auntie and a dear friend with whom I could share hopes, dreams and philosophies. She encouraged me to read her poetry and seemed to enjoy gauging my interpretation of her work. My favorite one was about family - to paraphrase a line I best remembered: "my Dad's soft talk in the yard at night about stars, and people, and what is right." I traveled with the Helmers family, camping during summer vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains when I was 16 - my first ever trip camping and first trip ever out of Florida. I remember during the trip to the mountains that summer of '71; the two of us running down a slope so steep we were almost falling - into an emerald meadow such that I had never seen in Florida - laughing all the way at the magic and beauty. I stayed with the Helmers over a few other summers as I came of age. Those times are a pure treasure - after work evenings of watching Happy Days, Return of the Pink Panther movies and runs for ice cream, the boys working on cars in the garage. We often related as the "eldest daughters" amongst siblings and shared much in common, including sending each other messages in shorthand.
Years later after I married, I remember the night I began labor with my only child. I was full of joy and wonder and I knew I could call her at that hour to share my excitement! Her voice smiled on the phone and she told me to settle down and get prepared for the hospital. Boy was she right.
One constant in her life was her lifelong passion for raising and loving her boys Lenny and Terry, and later - her grandchildren. Aunt Priscilla lived kindness and made her lovely home warm and welcoming for all. She embodied her beliefs of loyalty, honesty, duty, and faithfulness - and is the sweetest soul I've known.
I love her dearly, always.
Suzy
