Emelda Waite April 21,1913 - October 25, 2008
Emelda grew up in a small farmhouse on Sodom Road with her eleven brothers and sisters: Arthur, Alvin, Wilfred, Armond, Bertha, Bernie, Emelda, Edmond, Lorraine, Estelle, Rita and Roland.
Mel was in eighth grade when her mother passed away unexpectedly. She was fourteen. She left her school books behind to take care of her younger siblings. Estelle, Rita and Roland were six, four and two. Mel quickly shifted to the role of mother. She and her father learned that being well organized was the way to get the job done. One of them would do the breakfast, the other would make the lunches. On Saturday night a large tub was set out on the dining room floor and they took turns in the bath until the last one was scrubbed clean. At that time there was no bathroom nor running hot water. It had to be heated on the stove.
Mel secretly wanted to be a nurse like her older sister Bertha, but God had a bigger plan for her - mainly, Ernie. She met Ernie at one of those Grange dances. Of course, Ernie would say that courting Mel meant that she brought along about half of her family. They courted for five years.
Finally, on Leap Year, Mel said, "If you are ready, I am." And that was it.
There were obstacles. Mel was five years older, French and Catholic; Ernie was five years younger, a Yankee and Protestant. But, they were married one hot day in July, sixty-eight years ago. There were "I love you's" until the end.
After her marriage, Mel was no longer welcome in the Catholic Church. Ernie's step mother felt that the girls, Janice and Sharon, needed some relilgion and took them to Westport Friends Meeting. Later on they started to attend Allen's Neck Friends Meeting. Mel brought them and started attending Meeting also.
She spread joy and warmth wherever she went. There was a twinkle in her eye. Welcome poured from her heart and hands. She cared for, nurtured and loved everyone. And she loved nature. She was in her garden from the first snowdrop and purple crocus to the squash and pumpkin time, and the golden, crimson colors of Fall.
She loved to cook. Even when there was little money, night after night, year after year, there were scrumptious dinners on the table and big breakfasts before school.
When Janice's son, Ernie and Sharon's son Gregg and his boys came to help Ernie on the farm, before any farm work was done - Mel would cook up her famous blueberry pancakes - berries she had picked herself from the bushes Ernie planted. She delilghted in feeding as many people as she could.
The Grand Finale was Sunday Dinner with roasts and all the trimmings and then pie - apple, blueberry, pumpkin and squash. But all eyes opened wide when she brought out her famous chocolate cream pie. Pies, pies, pies; she made hundres and hundreds of pies.
In the early years when Mel started attending Allen's Neck Meeting, she sat by the window. Later as her hearing diminished, she moved closer to the front. Then, a short time ago she moved again. In the comfort of her own home, in the warmth of her family's love, she spoke her last words: "Tell everyone I love them...I'm going to die now." Hours later she passed into the Light, right into the Heart of God.
"Tell everyone I love therm..."
Emelda, we love you too.
What a woman!