Obituary of Elisabeth Walter

Elisabeth Walter, always reminded everyone that it was Elisabeth with an S Walter. She was also known to many as Oma after I became the grandma. She started life as a change of life baby born in a small town called Hohenlimburg in 1920. Mutti had four older brothers watching over her while she tended to most of the household chores and caring for her older parents. Being a teen during WWII with bombings most nights, food rations, death and destruction all around her. There were no games to play, no fun times, only trying to survive. Here in the United States, we had 3 bombs land- those terrorists killed 3000 people on 9-11. During WWII, allied bombing raids left a devastating mark on Germany killing more than 400,000 civilians and entire cities were wiped out. Mutti shared many war stories but one that is on a lighter note I shall never forget. When she was a teenager, she went to get a permanent wave in her hair. In the 1940s, one sat in a chair and the hairdresser would apply electric curlers. As she sat in the chair, bombs were dropped nearby, they lost power and she was so embarrassed to have to walk home with ½ her head curly and the other half straight. These were hard times, if you wanted a sweater you knit one, a dress, you sewed one. She performed all these tasks with perfection. Mutti crocheted such magnificent doilies, all sizes from tiny to huge table cloths that sometimes took years to make. Then one day while she worked at the local movie theater selling tickets, she met a man named Fritz who frequented the billiard hall next door to the theater. This was in 1946, war had ended and people were rebuilding lives at last. Finally, some joy falling in love, marriage and blessed with two children. Since Germany was involved with 2 World Wars between 1914 and 1945 they wanting a better safe life, the family migrated to the USA. It took 11 days by ship across the Atlantic to NYC and my mom and I were sick for those 11 days. They considered moving to Argentina, but after getting a letter from my father's mother, they decided on the states. With dreams of living in the Home of the Brave, Land of the Free and where democracy reigns. This was not an easy decision for my mother to leave her elderly parents and build a new life where you do not even know the language. Her sister-laws tended to her parents then they passed within two years of her leaving. Our first home was in Trumbull staying with my fraternal grandmother and her husband. My parents immediately signed up for night school where they met many German lifelong friends. They then rented a furnished apartment on Maplewood Ave. in Bridgeport. Mutti went to work for the Mohawk Curtain Co. sewing curtains by piece work. My Father had a degree in metal/locksmith works, but that meant nothing in this country. So, he worked nearby at a manufacturing plant. We were in the midst of the industrial revolution and there was work for all. They quickly learned the language and when my Father got his drivers license, that is when the good times for our family started. It was our custom to clean house every Saturday and go to Seaside Park on Sundays meeting all the Germans at the beach. I have the fondest memory of those days on the beach. We would often go to the Salvation Army store, where my father would buy tools and I would always get something cool, like my first roller skates and a sled. After three years, they saved enough to buy the house in Fairfield where Mutti lived for 58 years. They saved anything and everything with the hope of turning it into something for good use. I believe that is why I am know as being "resourceful". Mutti got a new job at the Heim Universal Co., where she would grease and pack ball bearings. One of her bearings made it to the moon in Apollo 11. Pretty cool stuff. Her mind was sharp and she could tell you what year she travel to wherever country. Tragically, my brother, Norbert passed away with complications of juvenile diabetes. This was one of the few times I ever saw her cry. You all know, I did not get those strong genes from her. My father had his first heart attack in 1965 and lived another 8 years till his heart failed again. That event made my mother finally realize that she needed to learn to drive. She was a widow for 46 years, ran the house in Fairfield like clockwork. She loved to garden, flowers, vegetables, multiply African Violets, multiply clevias, and there would never be a blade out of place. Something was always blooming. Evenings she would crochet, knit or sew. So many of you have her handywork which was performed with amazing detail. After she retired, she crocheted Christmas ornaments with the ladies at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Bridgeport for fund raising. She made lap robes for nursing homes and taught many how to make those silly covered hangers. For 30 years she drove down to the YMCA at 5:30am and did laps in the pool meeting and obtained another group of friends. Mutti had a full life traveled all over the world. She went to Glacier Bay in Alaska, the Caribbean, did the hula in Hawaii, saw Andy Williams in Branson, Missouri, went to Dollywood, so many cruises and bus trips with the seniors. She went to Germany many times to see family and also attended our son Michaels wedding in Italy. Our Italian family embraced us with warmth and though she didn't speak a word, she found a way by using her hands or making animal noises to communicate. This was so much fun to witness. She loved to play cards, pinnacle, 4 handed, 5 handed, 6 handed, double decks, single decks you name it. She was good at it too playing Kings in the corner and 500 rummy with the grandchildren and family. Then came the day when I helped her pull out the lilac tree and bring it to the dump. We both realized that keeping the house and property the way she always did was just too much. Finally, she would consider moving. The only property I showed her was the unit she bought. She just stepped into the hallway and said, "this will do". Mutti loved it here, large bright sunny windows with a balcony overlooking lush grounds and the swimming pool. No stairs beautiful wood floors and space to entertain. She stopped driving the same day we moved her. A new set of neighbors were made here. She adored her visits from Princess Grace Willison, and Hede Seefeldt. Every other month, I took her to the German ladies' luncheon. There they shared stories of the old days, a good meal and exchanging German romance booklets. I learned to really love this bunch as there was always laughter, a few jokes and things to share. She was diagnosed with bladder cancer over a year ago. Modern medicine and the Smilow Cancer Center in Trumbull under the supervision of Dr. Harold Tara extended her life greatly, for that we are eternally grateful. A week before she passed, her health declined drastically, and we contacted Connecticut Hospice. What an amazing organization of loving caring professionals. The nurses came to check on her sometimes twice a day. With their help, we were able to care of her at home, surrounded by family 24 hours a day. I took the first 12-hour shift and Lisa Corvera stayed all night. Lisa has been with Mutti for a year coming early mornings during the week to get her day started. She always went above and beyond the call of duty, a trustworthy gracious lady. Michael, Eric, Christine, daughter in law Adrienne, son in law Michael and other grandchildren and great grandchildren spend lots of time with her that last week. Mutti could not really talk, but she was aware of all our presence. She had faith; knew she would join those that passed before her by the grace of God. A full life indeed, being blessed with two children, 5 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. The true riches of life well lived. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 23, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. directly at Trinity Lutheran Church, 21 Robert Treat Parkway, Milford, CT 06460. Interment will be held privately. Love you more, Mutti