Christmas 2011 around the Cousins Blog

Here are some pictures of our cousins on Christmas Day:

Dawn Coleman Walker, her daughter Kelley and her grand-daughter, Rene'e 

Bernie Walker

Chris, Matt, Tom, Tim and Jim Kinsella, Christmas Day

At The Homestead-- 1826 home that Lance and Amanda Taylor have in LeRoy. Pam Crane, Lance and Amanda Taylor and Evelyn Taylor ( who has her coat on, ready to go home, when they decided to take a family picture), and Pam's friend Charlie Poltenson.

Happy New Year to all the "Cousins, by the dozens."!

Christmas at Aunt CB and Uncle Jack's house

Nativity Sets at Aunt CB and Uncle Jack's house

Christmas at the Bernie and Dawn Walker's house

Hope these last few days of 2011 are good to all of you!

“I Want to See Christmas.” By Evelyn Taylor

Evelyn Taylor, wife of Bryant Taylor, Aunt CB's cousin, often writes stories for our cousins' blog. Here is one she wrote for her great-granddaughter, Olive, who lives in New Zealand.



Chippy, the chipmunk who lived in a small backyard in a village named Le Roy, had heard stories of how beautiful Christmas was. It came every December, and where he lived, that month was a cold winter one, so he was always snug and asleep in his underground house until spring.

But, unlike other chipmunks, Chippy had a summer house above ground in a rock garden. Rock gardens are supposed to have flowers in them, but the dirt kept washing away, so it finally became just a pile of rocks with wonderful open places to play in, hide in, and scamper through to the top rock for a look at the world each morning.

Wondering how he could ever see Christmas, a brilliant idea “popped” into his head. He would use his “summer” house for one “winter” day, Christmas!

He set his day alarm clock for midnight December 25th, and when it rang, he dashed to the rock pile to wait. Nestled down in the lowest space, he could look right up through the top and see the sky.

As he was gazing intently, something wet, cold, and very soft fell on his nose, and more kept falling out of the sky. They were white and soft like dandelion fluff in the spring.

As he was blinking to keep these strange things out of his eyes, he suddenly saw a glorious bright star. He was so excited he kept jumping up and down. The star, of course, was the one that showed the shepherds and wise men the way to the manger where the baby Jesus lay sleeping in the manger so long ago.

Yes, Chippy had heard the wonderful story and that was why he always wanted to see Christmas, and he had at last!

Now, he could return to his underground home for the rest of the winter with the Peace and Joy of Christmas in his heart.

From all of us here at the Taylor Baker's Cousin Blog, Merry Christmas to all of you!! Wishing you much laughter and love today, Christmas Eve, and tomorrow, Christmas Day.

Dorothy Maffei in the News, By Pat Kinsella Herdeg

I think we all will be missing Aunt Leona for a very long time. But, this time on the blog, I want to do a ‘shout out’ to her daughter, Dorothy Maffei.

Dorothy has owned and operated ‘Home Goods’ in Margaretville, NY for fifteen years. When Hurricane Irene hit in late August, her village was one of the hardest hit. Dorothy immediately saw a need, and like her mother, stepped in: “We just started running around and doing stuff. We didn’t need titles or status. We were just happy to stay under the radar.”

One of the local newspapers called Dorothy ‘Margaretville's indefatigable flood relief volunteer organizer’.

Even two months later, Dorothy was continuing the effort:

“We continue to need help with cleaning out, ripping out sheetrock and paneling, and with assisting the Sweep Team and the Volunteer Center.


We need people to help with furniture pick-up and delivery. Any people w/ trucks would be great.


We are still in need of sofas and easy chairs that are in excellent shape.”





Dorothy, embarrassed by all of the media attention, made sure that she always stressed that it was a community effort, with many different people helping.

This December, the Shopmargaretville merchants’ group honored Dorothy by asking her to perform the tree lighting in Margaretville. For the small town, it was a way to show that Hurricane Irene had changed many things, but many things remained the same, indeed became stronger.

To paraphrase from ‘The Grinch Who Stole Christmas’:

‘Hurricane Irene hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it *came*! Somehow or other... it came just the same.’

Dorothy, we are so proud of you. Have a very Merry Christmas AND a very Happy Birthday, as they are one and the same.

Welcome to the World, Dominic Carmelo Lochner!

We got the news that Aunt Esther and Uncle Dick have another great grandchild.

On November 1^st, David Lochner's son, Stephen, and wife Christin had a baby boy.  Dominic Carmello Lochner weighed in at a whopping 10 lbs., 15 ounces and was born via c-section because he wasn't due until November 17.



Steve explains to his aunt Julie: “Tomorrow is my day off and I will probably be up at least four times tonight. It's a good thing he's cute.”

Stephen and Dominic

Thank you for these pictures, Stephen and Christin—he IS cute! Congratulations go out to all three of you, and to all of the Lochner family.



"Great big kisses, Aunt Julie."

Aunt Leona's Funeral--December 2011 (New Photos as of 12/11)

Aunt CB writes:

"After a two hour wake for Leona Howland Maffei in Syracuse, we attended a very meaningful service to commemorate her death. She was buried in the family plot with her husband, Neil, daughter, Carol Ann and son, Joe.


In the afternoon we gathered at Francesca’s Cucina for a wonderful Italian meal, the kind of food Leona liked and a wonderful way to honor her."

Many thanks go out to Chuck Lochner and Wendy Wood Osterhout for taking photos during the day, and then getting them ready for 'publication'--Great work!

You will find their photos on the right hand side of this blog--under December Birthdays. Look for 'Family Reunions and Get-Togethers' and then click on the Link for Leona's Funeral.

 Back of Leona's Prayer Card

 Front of Leona's Prayer Card

 Laurel, Wendy, Freddy and Linda Emhof

Aunt CB, Abby, Dan and Uncle Jack

Leona Howland Maffei's Obituary

Dorothy sent this along today. It will soon be in the Syracuse newspaper:

Leona Howland Maffei, 92, who lived her life with grace, courage, and humor, died peacefully at the home of her daughter Dorothy in New Kingston, NY on November 28th. She was born on March 24, 1919 in Center Lisle, NY. She had three younger sisters – Sylva, Phyllis and Gladys – who predeceased her.


She was also predeceased by her daughter Carol Anne, son Joseph and husband Neil C. Maffei Sr.. She is survived by her son Neil C. Maffei, Jr. (Patricia Body) of Syracuse, daughter Dorothy J. Maffei of New Kingston, her grandchildren Daniel B. Maffei (Abby Davidson), Sara L. Maffei, Andrew C. Maffei and Max Body-Maffei - and many nieces, nephews and relatives.

She graduated from Marathon High School and attended nursing school at Crouse Memorial in Syracuse. She married on Dec. 7th, 1939. She pursued her education throughout her life and was especially interested in art history, which she pursued as a continuing education student at Syracuse University for many years. That interest exemplified her insatiable desire to challenge herself and to excel in the things that interested her even if they brought her far away from her Southern Tier rural background.

She was an avid traveler and took pride in understanding the art and culture of the many places in the world that she visited. She and her husband also hosted foreign students studying at Syracuse University for many years. They sponsored a School of Management student Tan Nuygen, his wife, Viet and their children so they could immigrate to the United States after the Vietnam War, and considered them part of their family.

She worked tirelessly as a volunteer for both social and healthcare organizations in Central New York. She served on the boards of the American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, the Corinthian Club, the League of Women Voters and others. She loved the arts and supported and attended regularly The Syracuse Symphony, Syracuse Stage, Syracuse Opera and The Everson Museum of Art where she also served as a docent for many years. She contributed to Francis House, Hospice of Central New York, The Leukemia Society, and was a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood.

She had an enormous love of food and often spoke of how her husband’s Italian-American family taught her to cook and then she continued to pursue both her cooking techniques and skills throughout her life. At her longtime home on Sedgwick Drive, she had over 200 varieties of roses and she was a lifelong member of the Onondaga Garden Club.

Calling hours will be at Farone & Sons, 1500 Park Street, Thursday Dec 8th at 10AM ending at Noon with a short Service & Burial at Woodlawn with a reception following from 1PM – 5PM at Francesca’s Cucina at 545 North Salina Street.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a favorite cause or organization would be appreciated.

December Birthdays, 2011 By Pat Kinsella Herdeg

December already?! Well, we certainly have lots to celebrate at the Cousins Blog, so let's get to it!

I love this picture of Freddy! From 1955

 Dorothy Maffei

Aunt Esther

In Aunt Sylva’s family, Frederick F. Emhof ( Sylva’s husband) is the Birthday boy.


In Aunt Leona’s family, Dorothy Jean Maffei ( Leona’s daughter) has a December Birthday.

In Aunt Esther’s family, Esther Taylor Lochner is the Birthday Girl of the family.

Lena

 Sara

Wendy

In Aunt Gladys’ family, Wendy Lee Wood Osterhout (daughter of Gladys), Allena Ruth Smerchansky (daughter of Beth Barron), Allison Marie Hart-Wood (daughter of Jon and Annie Hart-Wood, so grand-daughter of Chic Wood, and Sara Grace Osterhout (daughter of Wendy, granddaughter of Gladys) all have birthdays this month.

 Levi

Kelley

In Aunt Phyllis’ family, Levi Wendell Henderson, son of David Henderson, grandson of Wendell, and Kelley Renee Walker ( daughter of Dawn, granddaughter of Phyllis) blow out candles.

Yvonne and Kathy

In Uncle Harold’s family, Kathleen Taylor Mills and her daughter--Yvonne Michelle Hauf Baley, and Matthew Taylor Spear ( MaryLou’s son) all have birthdays.

 Jack Colley

Will Colley

In Aunt Doris’ family, Joseph Michael Gabrys (Cindy’s husband) ,  William Charles Colley and Jonathan Paul Colley-- sons of Kristyne, grandsons of Charlie Hawkes celebrate this month.

Arnon 

 George

Nancy, Ethel Baker Taylor, and Donny, August 1969

 Bill, Diana's husband

Jacob



In Uncle Arnon’s family, Arnon Lloyd Taylor himself, and his children--George Laurens Taylor and Nancy Carolyn Taylor Wright share this birthday month.  Also in his family, William Patrick McCarty (Diana’s husband), Jacob Robert Desgroseilliers (Barbara's son, grandson of Bob Taylor), and Adam Samuel Taylor (George Taylor’s son) are Birthday Kids.

 Dan Kinsella

 Jack and Tom Kinsella

 Pat and Glenn Herdeg

 Alex and Sue Kinsella

 Maddy Kinsella

Maggie Kinsella

In Aunt CB’s family, Daniel John Kinsella and Thomas Edward Kinsella share a birthday, albeit it seven years apart. Also, Madeline Kate Kinsella ( Jim’s daughter), Glenn Arthur Herdeg (Pat’s husband), Alexander Brown Kinsella ( Sue’s son), and Margaret Rose Kinsella (Chris’ daughter) are the December Birthday Kinsella Kids.

Congratulations to all!

Leona Blanche Howland Maffei

Aunt CB writes:

Neil, Dorothy and Leona, 2010

Neil and Leona, September 1977

It’s 10:30 AM, Monday, Nov. 28, 2011 (Happy Birthday, Tim) and Dorothy Maffei just called. Leona died peacefully this morning at 8:30. She has been at Dorothy’s house in Margaretville in the Catskills these last 9-10 days and yesterday, even perked up enough to sit and visit with Dor and eat soup from a friend.


Hospice workers have allowed Dor to have a good night’s sleep the last few nights so she is sad, teary but ready to face the future.

Leona will be cremated and within a couple of weeks Dor and Neil will plan a big party to celebrate her life.

She has been my mentor as well as my cousin and I will miss our talks but am happy for her ease in dying.

Leona, born March 24th, 1919, was 92 years old.

‘Bring none of your slim appetites here’--Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving at the Kinsellas with the Harold Taylors--November 1978



Thanksgiving Song—Found in Kate Youngs Baker’s scrapbook:

Come uncles and cousins, come nieces and aunts,
Come nephews and brothers, no won’ts, no can’ts
Put business and shopping and school-books
Away;
The year has rolled round; it is Thanksgiving
Day.

Come home from the college, ye mirth-loving
Youth;
Come home from your factories, Ann, Katy and
Ruth,
From the anvil, the counter, the farm, come
Away,
Home, home with you, home, it is Thanksgiving
Day.

The table is spread and the dinner is dressed.
The cooks and the mothers have all done their
Best;
No Caliph of Bagdad e’er saw such display
Or dreamed of a treat like a Thanksgiving Day.

Pies, puddings and custards, figs, oysters and
Nuts
Come forward and seize them, without if or
Buts;
Bring none of your slim appetites here,
Thanksgiving Day comes only once in a year.

Now children revisit the darling old place.
Now brothers and sisters long parted embrace.
The family ring is united once more
And the same voices shout at the old cottage
Door.

The grandfather smiles on the innocent mirth,
And blesses the Power that has guarded his
Hearth.
He remembers no trouble, he feels no decay,
But thinks his whole life has been Thanksgiving
Day.

Then praise for the past and the present we sing,
And trustful await what the future may bring;
Let doubt and repining be banished away
And the whole of our lives be a Thanksgiving
Day.

-----------------Pat Kinsella Herdeg here--Kind of old fashioned, but loved the sentiment.

Love and good thoughts to all of our cousins out there on This Thanksgiving. If I could give a hug and share a meal with each of you, I would.
--Pat