Tuesday, April 23, 2019
I was terribly sad to find out that my longtime friend,Anita-always Eyde to me, had died. She had told me about her battle with her serious medical condition but seemed optimistic about the treatment she was getting. Unfortunately, at the time we last spoke, there did not seem to be any urgency to communicate more frequently.
Eyde and I began our friendship years ago when we were students at Kawameeh Junior High School in Union. We lived a few blocks from each other so could easily spend time together. In our high school years, we were cheerleaders together, shopped together,were members of a social group we called the Collegiates(girls only) and hung out together most of the time.
She was a talented artist and a very good athlete. In those days girls would often have a Sweet Sixteen Party. Eyde’s was held at the restaurant in the old Newark Airport.
After our Union High days, we lost contact for quite a while. I don’t remember exactly when or how we reconnected but I am so very glad we did. By then, I was living in Denver so we visited, at times, when I was in NJ. On one visit, she took me for a ride in her white Cabriolet convertible. I think she loved that car. I was so taken with it that I bought a used one for myself.
I would call her on her birthday, August 2nd, and we would share news of our children and,later on, our grandchildren. One time we met for dinner (Pal’s Cabin?)and I brought a stuffed animal for her new grandson, Brady. A few years ago, she sent me a Chanukah gift, The Mensch on a Bench, for my grandchildren.
I still have the message she left me this year at Chanukah on my machine. Especially now, hearing her voice helps me remember many special times together.
Please contact me if you want to hear any more about my memories. I also have some photos that I could copy and send.
To all of you, I send my most sincere condolences.
Sheri Kamin Lockhart
