Condolence: Inge Violi

I’m here to read a poem, but before I do that I want to reflect on Inge.

Mom, Mrs. V, Inge, I tried each of these to name her.
She finally said “just call me Ing” – I found out later that Tony called her Ing.

I loved Ing, but I really LIKED her too! She was so special to me, to all of us.

She was elegant, strong, smart, funny, girly and INTERESTED…
Not just interested but INTERESTING!

We often discussed art, architecture, opera, politics, current events, history…
She read every word of the paper, cover to cover. The Wall Street Journal – NEVER The Post or The Daily News!

There’s so much to say – I could be here all day.
I want you all to know how much she added to our lives – she was an AMAZING woman.

In another time, I am sure she’d be an Architect or Engineer.
Did you know that she designed and DREW the plans for the front deck that was added to her home?? It’s there – she had it built too!

Inge had LOTS of ideas: a Catherine’s Wheel for the mail, a dumb waiter to the basement, a tissue holder, a belt tree hanger. She modified and reused EVERYTHING! Nothing went to waste. I would often say “what did this used to be??!” We’d laugh….

Deep in remembering some family event or story, Ing would pause…”Did you know Tony?”, I’d say No, but I feel like I did, like I was here earlier – she made me part of the family.

She was a great friend. A strong presence, a social butterfly.
She loved her friends – the language club (Ursula, Edy, Peter, Marlene & Albert) her Nines (Helen, Edwina, Gayle, Elaine, Irene) a group of dear longtime friends.

Ing loved ALL her family very much. She followed our lives.
She enjoyed our journeys! Recently she was soooo happy at Cindy & Lance’s wedding, surrounded by her family – celebrating again.

She was the best Mom. She just was.

She called her 4 daughters “HER JEWELS” and us guys “HER GEMS”.
She so loved Ellie and Charlotte and was very proud of their accomplishments – Ellie just graduating college and Charlotte about to.

She gave SO MUCH of herself – to everyone she knew.
She was a BEAUTIFUL & GRACEFUL woman.

We have so many fond memories. So many great stories.

The best story I can tell – one that sums her up and always makes us laugh:

Once when flying to Austin to visit Valerie & John – she had to change planes in Dallas. Asking for directions to the Austin gate and getting directed to the Boston gate instead – she had little time to correct.

When she realized the mistake she approached an airline representative – who told her she had to hurry, so “TAKE THE CART” and pointed to one of those airport multi-seat vehicles that beeped through the corridors.

Ing said “OK” and proceeded to get into the drivers seat, start it up and started to drive the cart to the right gate. She was kinda excited about it too!!
She saw no boundaries.

Of course a series of airport staff ran after her to stop her – and they then guided her to the right gate! I still can hear her laughing………

She wanted TO DO. She wanted TO BE.
She was 20 in her head. FOREVER YOUNG.

In closing, I have to say how great “HER JEWELS” have been to her.
Valerie, Lisa, Cindy, Danielle. Her amazing, caring, unique, beautiful daughters. Thank you for “GETTING HER”, for taking care FOR HER, for respecting her, for keeping her content. She was happy.

We want to thank her “Irish contingent” - Virginia, Theresa, Eileen and Irene – her new friends. Ing loved each of you – we were lucky and VERY grateful to have had you in her life.

Ing loved all of us - all of her family and friends.


Brooklyn, Manhattan, Greenwood Lake, Jones Beach, Hats, 200 Watt Light Bulbs, Benny, Lyndhurst, The Cabin, Driving, the Opera, Cadillacs, Inventions, Burning Pans, Dance Lessons, Sailing, Butterfingers, Cabbage Soup Diet, Chambord, Walking the Plank, Shrimp Cocktails, Mardi Gras Masks, the Birds, Spookies, Rouladen, Midnight Mass….her Cup and her Cream, Tony…….

I am thankful to have known Ing, to have laughed with her.
I will miss her often.

Thank you.

Condolence: My sincere condolences to the family. I remember your moms warm generous spirit growing up as a child in Colonial Heights.

Condolence: Dear Val, John and family,
Our thoughts were with you all weekend as you said good-bye to your mom. Looking at the family pictures posted here reminds us of how important our family is in the sad times as well as the happy times. I'm sure their support made for a celebration of a wonderful life lived by your mother. Best wishes, JIM and JO ANN

Condolence: Both Inge and we were habitues at the German table of the Language Club . We called her The Party Girl and just seeing her picture now on a motorcycle is very much in line. Her hat at the Mardi Gras parties was memorable.
She used to tell us that she was so happy to be our friend. So were we and we will miss her very much. We send our condolences to her daughters, in particular Cindy whom we met a few times.

Condolence: So sorry about your loss! May God bless Inge soul.

Condolence: Dear Cindy and family,
I am so sorry to hear of your Mother's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Rena

Condolence: Knowing Inge - visiting with her at the Language Club Wednesdays and enjoying her very special "Show-and-Share-and Tell" was a great pleasure and I will miss it. She brought post cards she cherished for us to share, her own china cup for the tea after dinner - and the cream, of course - and best of all - her daughters!
Good Bye, Inge!

Condolence: My dear friend Cindy,

I am so very sorry to hear of your great loss. It is our loss too for you truly are my sweet little sis.

I share one of my favorite scriptures with you today. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almight." (Psalms 91:1)

It is a very special place for your dear Mom! May God be with you and the family at this very special time of need and always.

I love you!!!!
Linda Faye and Billy

Condolence: To my dearest friend Cindy and your beautiful family.....When I think of Inge, a smile appears on my face ear to ear.....and I can't help but think of how fitting it was for her to depart this earth on Mother's Day.....What an amazing Mom....who loved each of you so purely and unconditionally.....What an amazing person....soft... sweet.... beyond wise.....loving.....selfless.....non-judgemental....I could go on and on. Cindy, anyone who knew you and your relationship with your mom was in awe of the heartfelt connection....best friends.....confidants......devoted mother and daughter! I KNOW that you, Cindy, each of your sisters and their spouses and her precious granddaughters were a source of so much pride and joy to her........and although there will be such an empty void in your hearts, the love and memories that you shared will one day soon bring a smile to your face once again.....I pray for your strength to sustain you all and may we all honor Inge, and take a page from her legacy by striving every day to be a better person.....

Condolence: Dear Cindy,
I was so very saddened to hear of your mother's passing. I have the fondest memories of her from our childhood. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sisters.
Cathy