Alice posted a condolence
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Ann's Eulogy
Antoinette Theresa Enrico
February 24, 1922- July 13, 2016
Mention Ann's name to anyone who knew her and eyes would light and a story would follow. Usually a story involving Ann helping someone. Maybe it was a rookie teacher in need of some classroom management advice or a 90-something looking for a ride to Holy Trinity for mass. Ann loved to be with her friends and stepped in -- quietly-- when she saw a need that she could fill. And if it involved driving, so much the better!
As a teenager, Ann attended St. Elizabeth's college -- where she discovered science and fell for Biology. Even then she was the designated driver -- taking the girls -- including her to-be sister-in-law -- to and from school. She was involved in student government and was an officer in the science club. But she was not all serious as evidenced by several recently discovered dance cards.
Eventually she ended up in a junior high English department, chairing it of course, encouraging students to realize and enjoy their talents by establishing a literary magazine. Making life-long friends with visiting faculty, mentoring, always looking to go deeper. One of my favorite afternoons spent with Ann was looking at the scrapbook of her retirement -- the personal notes from administrators, teachers, staff, maintenance folks-- it seemed like everyone wanted to share how she had made their work lives better. How they saw what she did for their students.
When she "retired" into full time volunteering, Ann spent nights at a homeless shelter, worked the annual Holy Trinity carnival, was a regular at all the fund raising efforts and assumed leadership roles for the Columbiettes.
She attended university lectures (again running the car pool) calling me to debrief after ones that particularly struck her like the one about Mother Teresa, and sharing what was on for lunch and who said mass.
Yes, Ann was an active, engaged woman with a wide range of interests -- traveling to many parts of the world, enjoying fine literature, did I mention she could re- wire a lamp? Or that we caught her on a ladder painting the garage when she was in her 80s? Ann combined a get-it-done seriousness with a lively, fun spirit. But her magic went beyond the activity. Her kindness and deep friendships are what made Ann, Ann.
I was privileged to have spent time with her -- my in laws lived across the Bridge and whenever we visited grandma and grandpa, we also came to Hackensack to visit our Ann. My kids, two of whom are here from California (Joelle) and Michigan (Gustavo), grew up with Ann in their lives and we are grateful for that. We knew that on Sundays she played Scrabble and got pizza with her friends. We knew who Sister Emily was. She shared what she was reading, argued politics, played games, and talked baseball -- more specifically, her beloved Yankees.
Ann had made it clear that she wanted to live in her home of almost 60 years for as long as she could. And thanks to "Team Ann" she was able to do so, dying peacefully in a place she knew, with people who cared for her. Lovingly managed by Cindy Lauder of Elder Care Consulting, captained for the last year by Melody Mensah with a strong line up of Ophelia Osei, Priscilla Asomani, Kelly Lauder, and Mary Abrokwah. Sister Emily, and then Liz Knoll, came every Monday to deliver communion. Friends and neighbors sent cards and good wishes however they could.
Ann's most recent friendship, in a long life of close friends, was with Melody. Melody came into her life after Ann's memory challenges, so in four years of living together, Ann never called Melody by any name other than "my friend". Her memory may have faded but her instincts of knowing when someone was worthy of being called "friend" never wavered. All of us who loved Ann thank all who made her last years warm and as full as possible.
No doubt, Ann had a good run. She made thousands of lives better through her work in the classroom and her works of kindness. We honor her life today with our thoughts and prayers. We honor it tomorrow by paying it forward.
