Notes for Jane Mary PRZYWITOWSKI

Notes for Jane Mary PRZYWITOWSKI

Mom with her Boys 1994
Mom and Stella
Blondie 1991
Mom and Dad 1991
Mom in Tampa 1991
Pat Dunlap, Mom, Janie 1994
? with Frank?, Jane, standing Jokie? in the backyard in Chester
1924 First Holy Communion, St. Hedwigs
1926 Confirmation at St. Hedwigs
My mother's birth was never registered. The midwife wascalled, but she showed up too late. It wasn't until much later when itwas discovered that there was no birth registration. Later when Momneeded a passport, Ciocia Tinker had to vouch that she was present atmy mother's birth. This along with her baptismal certificate sufficed.
We used to go down to DiConstanza's when he was on 3rdstreet. My Mom remembered getting ready to go to work sometime around1930 plus or minus. She said that she saw some Italian guys she kneweating some big sandwiches one day for lunch and asked where they gotthem; DiConstanza's. I still remember going in there around 1950 and alittle later. My uncle used to take me and tell me to make the order.I'd ask for "Wop sandwiches." They all knew me and say something like,"Ok Polak, comin' rightup." Didn't know until I was probably 12 or sothat I shouldn't say Wop-but then I don't remember anyone taking anyoffense. We all lived in the area and it just didn't matter. They'dput out the rolls for like five Hoagies and then slice off cheese forthe five plus one extra slice. The guy would 'deal out' the cheesethen flip the last slice up in the air. I think everyone in the storeknew it was flipped for me. The same with the meats. Always like goingthere! Last time up there for my uncle's funeral I stopped at the newDiConstanza's near the interstate. Saw an older guy in there I thoughtI knew. Then I saw the picture on the wall-it was the same guy whothrew me those extras years ago.
Description: Arlington National Cemetery
Their first house did not have central heat, but it didhave indoor water (only cold though). Most of the houses around themhad outhouses. During the winter most every Saturday night the kidswould line up in the bathroom to take baths in an old bath basin,youngest to the oldest. It got to a point though that it would taketwo times filling the basin with water after Stanley was born. (Heardsome stories that noone wanted to take a bath after Stan, the youngestand the first. So Stan was moved back into the line so he wouldn't"mess up" the water.) Since there wasn't any hot water they had to usethe wood stove to heat the pot of water. In the summer they would taketheir baths upstairs.
Once Jane was left to clean the kitchen and watch Stan atthe same time. Stan decided to play with the fire in the stove andstarted the kitchen curtains burning. Jane got the fire out, but shealso "got a whoopin'" because she wasn't watching Stan close enough."Now how could I watch Stan and at the same time clean the backporch?"
The oldest of the girls so she seemed to be the one incharge. Sometimes quiet, but always the one everyone looked up to foradvice and comfort.
Was visited by her grandmother after her death. Jane andher grandmother shared a bedroom in the house at 4th and Ward inChester. Her grandmother took sick and went to the hospital where shedied. That night Jane was in bed and saw her grandmother. She toldJane that she was cold.
Her mother was sick later and had to be taken to thehospital. One morning while all of the children were in the kitchen,Jane heard a voice calling her name in Polish. She remembers the exacttime because her brother Stanley was late leaving to go outside tocatch his bus and she looked at the clock. Later that evening aneighbor, Malick, who had a phone came to inform the family that theirmother had died. McCarthy told them that her last words were hercalling to someone named "Janna", which is Jane's name in Polish. Theexact time of her death was when Jane heard the call.
Had to leave school at age 14 to go to work in New YorkCity, living with Ciocia Tinker and Frank. Started working in thetextile industry as a spinner. Came back to visit in Chester and wasnot allowed to go back to new York because she was "getting bigideas". Started work at American Viscose age 15 because she could tiea weaver's knot, then she started showing the others what she learnedin N.Y. Had to pass for 18. Modeled whenever it was needed, but notpaid for it. After 6-7 years went to work in the lab and met Dad. Keptup with him when he went off to the war. Married when he returned.
Great cook, but did mostly the meat and potatos for Dad.Always seems to be making something, loves crafts, keeping busy. Agreat crossword puzzle fan, she'll fight you over getting the puzzlefirst. Remembers past facts well, give her a name and she will giveyou the birthday. One on those minds "as sharp as a tack". Loves hercats, "Shoo-Fa", "Justa", and "Blondie".
Started her battle with cancer in 1992. Second operationin 1993 right after moving to the Abernethy Center in Newton. Startedfeeling a little sick in September but really knew she was gettingsick again in October, 1995. Confirmed by the doctors that the cancerwas back. After a very short time in which Stella, Bobby, Stanley, andJane P. were able to visit, Jane passed away very quietly at her homein Newton, Stella was by her side.
Asked to be buried in Arlington with Bill. Had kept her"birth veil" and wanted to be buried with it. Bill and Becky found the'veil' and had it placed with her in Arlington.