On Sun, Jan 8, 2023
Dear family:
I’m in Utah for my aunt Estella Leishman Romero’s funeral.
Seated left to right
Erma Busenbark, Reta Fox York. Penny Romero
Standing: Tami Fox, me, Dixie, Cindy Busenbark Jensen, Holly Busenbark, Penny’s head, Kelli Fox
Aunt Erma is fragile lives in Ogden. Aunt
Reta looked better than she did last summer.
Estella was about 17 when I was born. From the time I was 1/2 to 3 mom and I lived in Logan while dad was in the service. We visited Wellsville (grandma Mary Leishman) very frequently. Estella her husband Arnold were there most of the time. My earliest memories include Estella and Arnold.
When I was 15 Arnold and Estella stayed at our house just after they picked up Dixie from adopting her in Tacoma. I remember it vividly. When they got home they were notified that another local girl was available. Penny and Dixie are 6 weeks apart in age.
Aunt Estella was 95. Prior to her passing she asked that I would sing or play piano at her service. (How Great Thou Art). I was honored.
I flew to Provo late Friday. I fly home tomorrow evening.
Arnold and Estella were at the temple when Rich and I were sealed when Brian was about 9 months old. They came to Amy’s wedding and brought her one of her great grandmothers hankies to carry with her in the temple.
They came to visit many times and one I remember was when we lived on 57th near Halsey. They took videos of Brad (3 years old) swinging his arm as he walked down the sidewalk.
Brian and Megan have memories of visiting them when Michael was a toddler.
If they were that involved in our lives - you can get the picture of how heavily they were involved in the lives if their two girls, Estella’s sisters, and the dozens of nieces and nephews who lived close to them.
They were an admirable couple. They treated each other like royalty. They remained active in the church served a mission to the Cook Islands and served in the temple 30 years.
What a marvelous example to all.
Brian, Megan, Hayden and I visited her in 2019 after we did a nostalgic trip to Wellsville and Logan.
Glennda and I visited Aunt Stella, Aunt Reta, Dixie, Penny and Reta’s daughter Kelli last May 22, 2022.
Glennda and I felt fortunate to make the trip and visit for 2 hours. ( Again Brian and Megan made it possible)
Just a few days after Christmas Estella called me - my Christmas card was returned- she said she just wanted to hear my voice.
I hope I’ve been able to convey to all of you how much Estella and her family, her sisters, and my cousins mean to me. We were raised in another state and weren’t able to be as close as my cousins are to each other. But yesterday I was welcomed by all of them including Cody and Cameron(Dixie’s sons ) and her wonderful husband. I feel so blessed.
It is just further proof that family is everything.
My mother, her sisters and their families and my siblings families are all connected. I have so much love in my heart for all of us.
Have a wonderful week my dear children, grand children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Love Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, cousin and aunt Suzanne.
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