Friday, April 24, 2020
I am Virginia Risman Frattarola. My father was John Risman, younger brother to Ilene's mother Pauline Scursso, making Ilene my cousin. Where Ilene was born in 1924, I did not come along until 1938. I have two indelible memories of Ilene.
The first is the photo (wedding/?) of Ilene and Ikey (to my young eyes, she absolutely beautiful with her gardenia corsage and he so handsome in his military uniform) that our grandmother Mary Jambriska Rizman kept on her gateleg table for as long as I can remember.
The second memory of the cousin I sadly did not know well (given she lived just around the corner from our grandmother) is at my own mother Nellie Wasik Risman's memorial service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Byram (November 1999). Not only did Ilene attend but she graciously introduced herself and expressed her condolences. I sensed her loveliness was as I remembered, but enhanced by a gentleness and kindness that instantly endeared her to me.
May she rest in peace.