Wednesday 10 August 2011

Memories of Maria, our neighbour

When we moved into our home five years ago a little elderly neighbour yelled out yoo hoo! over the fence and introduced herself and handed us a homebaked cake. Her name was Maria, she was Polish and her english was not fabulous but it was good enough that we could communicate. Maria had left Poland during the war and migrated to Australia with her two children. She remarried in Australia and had lived in the same house and raised her family there.

Maria's husband was in a nursing home and had Alzeihemers, he died that same year we moved in. Maria's daughter Jenny had moved in to help Maria around the home.
Maria has the most amazing vegetable patch which she worked daily and we'd often find a bag of vegies hanging over the fence or our son would come inside with a zuchinni from her.
Maria loved our dog Lucy and Lucy loved being picked up so she could get a pat. She always told me Lucy was a bit fat.
Maria always had a smile on her face and on weekends we'd see her walking to and from the local church, about 500 metres down the street.
In the past few months Maria had become very ill and in the last few weeks was in home palliative care, sadly she passed away on Monday. We'll miss Maria, she was a beautiful neighbour. My deepest sympathy go to Jenny and her family.
RIP Maria xxx

20 comments:

Ange Moore said...

Jo - sorry to hear about your neightbour. Sounds like she'll be sadly missed in your household (as well as of course by her family).

Kaye R said...

Special people pass through our lives and live in our hearts forever. My sympathies.

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

How blessed you and your family were Jo to have known such a lovely lady.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

Lynda said...

Jo - you've been so fortunate to have such a wonderful neighbour.

Christine M said...

Sorry to hear your news Jo. Maria sounds like a lovely lady. Hugs, Christine

Liz said...

Good neighbours are hard to find and you will miss her..
Lizzie
xxx

Vicki said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbour Jo, but what a richness she has brought to your family over the years. You will remember her with great love, I'm sure.

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear your news Jo...Your Memories of Maria will be Fond Ones.
xx

De said...

Hugs Jo - its always a pleasure to have such a nice neighbour! And look how she has touched the lives of your family.

Isabella said...

sounds like she was very nice Jo my friends daughter also passed away on monday she was 16yrs old funeral tomorrow not looking forward to that at all

Michelle May-The Raspberry Rabbits said...

Sending light and love to her family. She sounds like such a beautiful person. It's always so special when your lives our touched by such beautiful people.
xx, shell

Jeni said...

sorry to hear about your neighbour Jo..but what beautiful thoughts you have of her

Deb said...

What a wonderful story about your neighbor Maria. She sounds like a wonderful person to have known.

Deb

Khris said...

I am so sorry to hear of your friends passing..these times are never easy....your are in my thoughts Jo...hugs Khris

Jenny of Elefantz said...

I'd say Maria was an angel in disguise...God bless her in her eternal peace.
Hugs
Jen
xxxxxx

Leanne said...

Good neighbours are a real find, sorry to hear you have lost a friend and a neighbour.

Annie said...

Hello Jo. Isn't it lovely to have a wonderful neighbour. We had an elderly couple next door in our last home - they still come and visit for lunch a couple of times a year. Your post has prompted me today - I am going to drop in on them this afternoon for a quick surprise visit. I'm pretty sure Maria was just as blessed having you and your family next door. xoxox

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbour. It's sad when you lose someone you love.

kathyros said...

Isn't that beautiful Jo that you had such a lovely neighbour in Maria and she could enjoy your family as well. Good neighbours are a God Send.

Anonymous said...

What a touching post. I am so sorry to hear about your sweet neighbor friend.

I also wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for stopping by and leaving such an kind and encouraging comment. :)