When Ellie Gianni passed away in the spring of 2013, her absence was felt by many in the South Orange-Maplewood community. We missed seeing “The Duck Lady” outside the shop selling tickets for the annual Kiwanis Memorial Day Duck Race or having a chat with her as she greeted locals from her perch on the bench outside the store.
No-one has missed Ellie more than her daughter Claire Gianni Sinclair, who has written movingly about her mother in her blog A Project For Kindness. Last year, Claire wrote about the gift of a bench in her mother’s name. We thought this blog would make a wonderful Christmas posting, as many seek a sense of peace and keenly feel the loss of loved ones at this time of year.
Yesterday, I wrote about the bench that was installed in the park in honor of my mom.
I had not seen it when I wrote my blog yesterday. I decided to check it out on my way to my kickboxing class. I did not know what it was going to look like or exactly where it was located. I parked near the bridge and began walking down the path along the brook and I saw it immediately. I was so touched by the sentiment. It was engraved and across the top it read, “SOUTH ORANGE – MAPLEWOOD KIWANIAN ELLIE Y. GIANNI. The bottom read, “MRS. SINCLAIR’S TUSCAN SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN 2013.” I took some pictures of it and immediately began texting them to my siblings, my dad and a good friend. As soon as I got home, I emailed last year’s Kindergarten parents and let them know how beautiful the bench was. I posted the pictures on Facebook as well. The responses were beautiful and touching. I feel so much pride knowing how much my mom was loved. One person summed it up so well. She told me that if we can’t have her smiling face on the corner bench in front of the store, it is the next best thing.
I sat on that bench for about ten minutes before class last night and talked to my mom. I see memories of her everywhere, but I think I have finally found a place that I can go and feel a sense of peace, as if she is sitting there by my side and I am wrapped in one of her hugs.
Thank you Kindergarteners and Kiwanis. My mom – who was rarely at a loss for words – would be speechless and truly honored.
Read the original blog posting here.
Visit A Project for Kindness here.
