Friday, March 10, 2023
How do you summarize someone like Aunt Jane? It is not possible, because it is like trying to summarize unconditional love or the magic of Christmas to a young child. It is difficult to remember Aunt Jane as anyone other than “Aunt Jane.” Everyone who met her, instantly loved her and she instantly was adopted as their Aunt, and more than likely, their favorite one.
Aunt Jane was first a daughter and a beloved sister, and she filled those roles with the same love and care until the very end. She loved to share her memories as a child and young teen, whether it was playing the drums in the high school band, going to the Shore with her sister Marianne or one of her first job at a funeral home, she always reflected on her youth with love and joy.
But the role Aunt Jane was born for was that of an Aunt and to say there was no greater one is a massive understatement. From that home on 5th avenue filled with memories of massive piles of Christmas gifts for each and every one of her many nieces and nephews, to special sleepover nights that usually included movies, taking the train and shopping trips to the city or her beloved Strawbridges in Plymouth Meeting, Aunt Jane always made you feel so special, like you were the only person who mattered in the world, right then and there. With a big family, this meant everything.
Years later, Aunt Jane came to us and literally she came to everything - she was always present at every important event. There was never a question, Aunt Jane was there for you. She came to our own christenings, communions and confirmations acting as Godmother and Sponsor for many of her nieces and nephews. She was at birthdays, graduations, Showers, Weddings, births and parties of her great-nieces and nephews, holidays, including her favorite, Christmas and a strong second Halloween. However, Aunt Jane equals Christmas to many of us. Aunt Jane embodied God’s love and very spirit of generosity and giving. She was generous with gifts, but I think what we all remember was truly, Aunt Jane was generous with her love and time - her true greatest gift.
In her later years at Brandywine, she had a second and third Act. Acting as everyone’s “Aunt Jane” there she had many years filled with happiness and fun. During this time, we came to her and what a palace it was - a castle fit for Aunt Jane and she deserved it. She had a lot of Fun there too - Aunt Jane was FUN. She wasn’t just at an event, she participated and made it more special even playing Bingo at Brandywine or listening to a Crooner trying to impersonate her beloved Sinatra or Elvis, it was just more fun with Aunt Jane present, smiling and participating. Whatever time you gave Aunt Jane, whether your visit was 5 minutes or 5 hours, it was enough. Like many visits, your conversation started with the proverbial question “How are you today, Aunt Jane?” - Her reply was anything but generic : “ Better now that I see you.” Wow. You felt that, you felt seen, loved and truly like your presence mattered. You were always Enough for Aunt Jane just by being you and being there. How many people can you say that about in this world? What an incredible example she was for myself, my husband and our own daughters, Evelyn & Catherine, who spent many countless days of their childhood with "Aunt Jane"- whether by blood, marriage or even as an "adopted" Aunt there was no distinction- she was just Aunt Jane and she Loved You immediately.
Time was a gift Aunt Jane gave freely and accepted with love. Many people have described Aunt Jane as a Saint, myself included. Really, to me, she was the actionable verb of Unconditional Love. I believe this is why she was loved by everyone who met her, because you felt that love to the core, you saw it and you knew you were in the presence of someone purely Good. How lucky we all were to have really received this great gift of unconditional and everlasting love during our lives on this Earth, the gift of Aunt Jane. You will be lovingly remembered and sincerely missed. We love you and will try our best to live by your example.
Allison, Rick, Evelyn & Catherine (& Mr. Parker who will continue to live "the Life of Riley")
