Once again, I am not doing the type of post that I usually do......
A very SPECIAL Lady passed away this week........
Our dear friend and neighbor, Elly, passed away at the age of 90 years old.......
If you follow my blogs, you may have heard me mention that Joe and I have been caring for my neighbor Elly's house while she had been in a Nursing Home due to Alzheimer's disease.......
It was the least that we could do for someone who was very important to us and for someone who truly shaped me into the person that I am today.......
They say "Friends are the Family We Choose for Ourselves"
We became neighbors over 35 years ago.........
Originally, she spent her Winters in Miami with her second husband who was an International Stock Broker and she would leave him there and spent her Summers here.....
When he passed away, she resided here year round........
As I continue, I will be showcasing some of the things that I have from Elly's home as her sons told me to take what I wanted since we were caring for home........
In fact, her sons told us to sell most of her furniture, which several neighbor's bought, and then to let neighbor's take what they wanted from the house.....
Her phone in the Kitchen now graces my Kitchen
A vintage Clorox Bleach bottle........
A tin and one of many vintage canning jars on my shelf in the Kitchen
She was going to Salvation Army looking for treasures over 50 years ago when it was frowned on to go to such a place!!!!
Her lamp now on my Kitchen counter
We would go to Yard sales together and have a wonderful time!!
When our local Red Lobster was remodeling, they had a "Yard Sale" in the parking lot and Elly and I went together to see what kind of treasures we could find......
We both came home with this sign.....
We paid $5.00 for each of the signs!!
I transformed Elly's sign into a Chalkboard sign......
In my Dining Room for Halloween!!
She loved magazines like Country Living and Country Home and copied the decorating ideas in her own home......
A basket of hers that I did a floral arrangement in.....
One idea that I got from her was how to make the windows in our townhouse look larger......
We have small windows.......
This is my Living Room window where I put up the curtain rods at least 18 inches on each side away from the actual window, creating the illusion of a larger window.......
I had never met anyone like this!!
My Mother regarded antiques and vintage items as just plain "old" things and she liked new things.....
She also thought of everything as "Dust Catchers" so Elly's style of decor in her home was amazing to me!!!
She decorated for every Season and Holiday and had numerous Collections!!!
And she continued to decorate and buy things for her home well into her late 70's and early 80's until Alzheimer's began to affect her mind......
3 of my most prized possessions are these 3 curios........
The first 2 are in my Dining Room but they were in her bedroom......
Even though these curios are now in my Dining Room, I was inspired by how Elly had used them in her bedroom......
A few years ago, I decided to do something similar in my Powder Room......
She was our dog sitter when we used to go on vacation.......
A photo of Cassie and Savanna that a Blogger friend gifted to me!!
It was Elly who fostered my love of gardening and perrenials.....
One of my favorite items that she gifted me is this garden sign......
It is because of her that I decided to turn our back yard into one large flower garden!!
The market umbrella was Elly's
This baker's rack was also Elly's
She also loved to spray paint things and if you have followed my Blog, you know that I say that Joe often calls me that "Queen of Spray Paint"!
That also came from Elly!!
She acted unlike any Senior Citizen I ever knew!!!
She always drove a red Sports Car and wore leather pants and a fur jacket vest in the Winter with high heel boots!!!
I always said she was the Coolest Senior Citizen that I ever met!!!
Now I would call her a bit of a hoarder because she loved to shop and could not resist buying items on sale "Just in case someone might need them someday"
If I ever need something I would go to Elly and ask her if she had it ...
She would say "Give me a minute" and then return with exactly what I was looking for!!
She was extremely organized with everything labels, boxed and organized!!!
I also learned this from her.......
My Craft Room
She was kind, generous and was always looking out for other people!
She also was a Strong Woman, having been a single Mother raising 2 sons while working full time in a factory after her divorce from her first husband....
That was another thing that we had in common....we both had 2 sons!!
As I mentioned before, She lived in Miami in the Winter while married to her 2nd husband.....
While in Miami, she walked the beach and collected tubs of shells which her sons were going to throw out!!
I made ornaments from those shells......
She lived for a few years with a local family member until that family member passed away.....
One of the greatest gifts she gave to Joe and I was on the last day that we saw her.
It was the day that her son was taking her to an Alzheimer's Facility to live by him near Phila.
Joe and I went over to say Good Bye and she recognized us and knew who we were when she did not even recognize her own son......
I will be forever grateful for that........
She truly was a wonderful beautiful Lady......
This is Elly's Wedding Picture when she married her first husband.......
I never realized how much Elly influenced my life until I started writing this post.....
Now I am even sadder for her loss!!
But unfortunately, we lost her several years ago when Alzheimer's took her away from those who loved her.......
We will miss her and I will never forget her and how she helped me to become the person I am today!!!!
And thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!
If you do not have a blog, PLEASE give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment. If I can not find a way to reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check back......
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What an incredibly beautiful tribute to this great lady. Your love and admiration shines here for all who reads it! So glad that you have some of her things, not that you will ever forget her, it's just good to have something that you both loved, if that makes sense. My mother in law just died recently in England and she had some dear neighbors/friends. I am so grateful she had them! I bet the two sons of your test lady feel the same about you.
ReplyDeleteThat was supposed to say great lady. Sorry typing on tablet. I am old and can't see it well. 😯
ReplyDeleteOH Debbie, what an amazing friendship for both of you.Sending you love! laura
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful lady, and what a loving tribute to your friend, Debbie.
ReplyDeleteYou have brought Elly to life here on your pages! This is a wonderful tribute to your dear friend. In reading your words, it brought back memories of some dear older friends I have been fortunate to know. Thank you so much for reminding me that older friends are such treasures.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories, Deb. She certainly was a beautiful bride and I imagine she would be so happy that the things she must have loved so much are being loved by you now..Have a wonderful weekend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteA nice memorial you have written for her. Beautiful memories. I love seashells also and you have fine collection of them. She was a beautiful bride and beautiful as she aged too.
ReplyDeletebetsy
I'm so sorry for your loss. Elly sounds like a wonderful person. This was a beautiful tribute to her. Mary (masteinbrink(at)msn(dot)com)
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear this, Deb. I was so touched by your tribute. It is true that we never know how much someone impacts our lives until they are no longer here. My Dad had Alzheimer's. It really robs you of precious years and sweet memories shared. I'm glad that you were able to help out the family and that you have some dear mementos of your friendship. Take care xo Karen
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible lady Elly was! I am sorry to hear she has passed but happy you have so many wonderful memories of her. You wrote a lovely tribute to her and it sounds to me like she has been a gift to you and your family. These days gifts like her can be rare because everyone is so busy. Those treasures from her home will hold even more special meaning for you. She was a beautiful soul inside and out. Thank you for sharing and you take care, my friend! Hugs...Sandi
ReplyDeleteoh dear! what a lovely friendship.. you are so blessed that you got such an amazing friend.. XOXO..
ReplyDeleteSuch a precious tribute for a cherished friend. Your house is amazing! I share your love of old/vintage/used/sentimental treasures.
ReplyDeleteLinda,
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by!! I could not find any other way respond to your kind comment so I am responding here..
Hugs,
Deb
Elly was an amazing person and you were certainly blessed to have had her in your life. Your tribute was so special.....hugs....
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like she was an amazing person and I love how she never "acted her age"...I hope I am like that-except you won't catch me outside in a bikini....lol. I am so sorry that she had Alzheimer's. It is such a devastating disease-a robber of the soul as well as whatever else it takes from you.
ReplyDeleteYou got some beautiful pieces and I am sure Elly would be proud to know that you have memories of her tucked into your home as well as into your heart. xo Diana
That was a beautiful tribute to an amazing lady. I imagine she must be really delighted to have her things treasured so lovingly by a wonderful friend like you.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss, she sounds like she was an amazing women. That is great her sons allowed you to have some of her things that you will always remember her by. So special to have had that relationship with her, and I am sure you will always remember her.
ReplyDeleteFriends can certainly impact our lives in important ways. I hope her sons got to see and enjoy your tribute.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for Your loss. Wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteHugs
What a wonderful tribute to such a special friend. My 90+ year old grandmother passed away a year ago and when she moved into the nursing home (also from Alzheimer's) I happened to be on vacation with my family. My father and aunt cleaned out the house (as I knew they needed to) and I always was so sad that I missed the chance to go through and take those things that meant something special to me-- things that were mostly tossed or given away... I do have many mementos of hers that they set aside and they mean so much to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have such a good friend that you loved so much...and visa versa. I know she would be so happy to know you are enjoying some of the things she also loved.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice that you had a neighbor and friend that was so special and influenced your life like that Debbie. What a beautiful tribute this post was to her. I love the shell ornaments that you made for the tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Have a nice week
Julie
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful neighbor and friend. My sympathy and prayers to you and her family. I am glad she contributed so much to the person you were able to become because of her. I, too, cherish things that belonged to "family" members whether blood relatives or not. Sounds nonsensical to those who are not sentimental; I feel sorry for those people.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!! Once again, I could not find any other way to get in touch with you so I am responding here!
DeleteHugs,
Debbie
I loved reading your story about Elly, so many wonderful memories & pictures. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!! I could not get in touch with you any other way but here.....
DeleteHugs,
Debbie
Such a sweet tribute to Elly. She clearly was a wonderful friend and neighbor. I am sure both of your lives were enriched by your friendship. I am so glad her sons recognized that and were so generous with you and the other neighbors. You all are obviously a close knit community. This is such a heartwarming tribute.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to your neighbor, Debbie! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
ReplyDeleteWhat memories you have, and what joy having some of Elly's special mementos will bring you and Elly's neighbours. I love that quote 'you are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with' Jim Rohn Any of us would have been pleased to have had an Elly amongst the five! You recognising that you would not be the person you are today without Elly, and this tribute post is really beautiful. May she rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteWren x
Sorry to hear about your friend Debbie. Such a lovely tribute to her. Thanks for sharing at Creative Mondays.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that Elly was an amazing woman and was loved dearly. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious tribute to Elly. She was a gorgeous soul. Thanks for that heart-warming story.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you were to have her as a neighbour!
Love,
Jesse
What a lovely post to your friend, Debbie. I am sorry for your loss but she seemed to have had a good life with great neighbors :). Thanks for sharing at Party in Your PJs!
ReplyDeleteNice of you to write such a loving text from your dear friend.
ReplyDeleteTrue friends must really inspire us.
I used the translator to write to you. I'm from Brazil.
Nice to meet you.
Rose
Debbie, I'm really touched by your tribute to Elly. She sounds like quite a gal, and is an inspiration to anyone who's a senior to not be old, or act old. Such a tragedy to have her life overtaken by Alzheimer's. I got a chuckle out of your dog's reaction, and to her feeding them special dog spaghetti. That wedding picture is indeed stunning. It caught my eye first thing. Such a great trick about the windows too. You really learned a lot from her. She would be blessed to read this tribute from you. How wonderful that her son's let you take what you wanted from her home! Those vintage purses and hair combs have me swooning, I tell ya! A great post Debbie!
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry very Debbie. You've spoken to often of Elly in your posts and she sounds like an amazing lady who left her mark on a lot of people's lives. Mine included after reading your beautiful post in memory of your friend and I bet Cassie and Savanna jumped for joy when they saw her again. Sending love and hugs as always
ReplyDeleteThis is such a beautiful and loving tribute to your Elly. She must be smiling from Heaven. Thank you for sharing, and for always making Pink Saturdays special.
ReplyDeleteThis post is being featured in my Pink Saturday post this week as "the lone with the most clicks".♥
Oh what a nice sweet post about Elly. I am so glad you got so many of the things she loved.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad I know when we don't have our wonderful neighbor friends any longer.
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. She sounds like an amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteHow special to have all these mementos of her! I like my items to have a story of people I love, too. All of your shell creations are stunning!
ReplyDeleteSuch a heartwarming post. It was so lovely to get to know Elly through this post of yours. She lives in your heart and in your home, through all the memories that you have of her and the stuff of hers that you've so lovingly placed in your house.
ReplyDeleteAlzheimer's is a terrible disease and it is indeed a special gift that she recognized you when you went to say goodbye.
And I must add that each and every one of your shell creations are incredible. I have seen a lot of shell crafts, but nothing compared to yours!! God Bless