Saturday, March 3, 2012

When an aunt dies

Aunt Theresa Palinski was a favorite aunt of mine.

Her death March 1st didn't sink in until yesterday as memories flooded my mind and heart.

Early in her teens, Theresa came to Detroit from Cheboygan, Michigan to work for Parke Davis until she retired.

She resided with the late Uncle Wally, her husband and two children, Nancy and the late Richard, on Sherwood Street.

Uncle Wally was also a gem. He welcomed my classmates and me to their home often while we attended St. Mary's College, Orchard Lake. He loved to engagein Polish with my classmates who were studied to be priests also.

Aunt Theresa prayed the rosary in Polish until her death. And, tomorrow at Wasik Funeral Home on 13 Mile Road, west of Hoover, in Warren, MI., her pastor, Father Bill Krol and I will say a decades or two in Polish.

Aunt Theresa was Nancy's priority until the end of the final breath at the hospital. Since 1996, her mother needed more attention as she struggled with liver problems and more.

Resilience describes Aunt Theresa best.

She'd bounce back often from grave illness.

A farmer, she knew how to work well.

"She's the best mom in the world," Nancy said, as we talk on the phone earlier.

She was.

Her memory lives on well in me, and, so many others.

She will be buried next to her husband and son at Mt. Olivet Cemetary in Detroit after her funeral at St. Louis the King at 11 am Monday.

3 comments:

  1. Father Larry, this is a nice tribute to your Aunt Theresa. I know she is smiling down on you. I had the pleasure of meeting her and thought she was a great lady. I took the liberty of posting this on my facebbok page so I could share it with those of your family that I am friends with, hope you don't mind

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  2. Father Larry is a hypocrite. Where was he at the mass he was supossed to assist with at the funeral? Pouting?

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  3. Father Larry, I am so sorry to hear of your Aunts passing! I do not know if you remember me but my name is Greg Stewart. You were my counselor at Sacred Heart 15 years ago. I never got the opportunity to say thank you for your help! You really changed my life! I have been free from addiction for the last 14 years, have graduated from U of M, and have two beautiful children!

    Keep Doing what you do! You are making a difference!
    My email is StewartGregory1966@gmail.com

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