Blast from the Past

West Ender · 12-07-2007, 22:27

I was trawling Google Earth and looked at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. More than 50 years ago I had a pen-pal there. I googled her name, Antonette Zaborski, and I found an obituary of "Big Jim" Zaborski who died last year and who had 2 sisters, Christine and Antonette. My pen-pal had an older sister, Christine, and a little brother, Jimmy. Quite a coincidence.

I've emailed the local paper, where the obituary was printed, and am hoping I might hear something of her. I last heard from her in about 1956 and I'm sure it's the same person. I'll keep you posted.

WillowTheWhisp · 12-07-2007, 22:30

That would be absolutely brilliant if you got back in touch with her after all these years.

LancYorkYankee · 13-07-2007, 03:55

That's really cool West Ender. I hope you two are able to connect with each other! thanks for sharing.

Brian

lancsdave · 13-07-2007, 08:50

Hope you get in touch, would be a nice suprise.

The surname comes as no suprise because I understand Milwaukee's growth was due to the large immgration of German and Polish communites. I went about 10 years ago because I worked for a company whose head office was just up the road from there. My boss over there was called Jablownowski.

West Ender · 13-07-2007, 12:37

After researching further on Google I've just found out that my old pen-pal died just 5 weeks ago, June 5th 2007, aged 62. There was an obituary under her married name, Toni Daniels, but it gave her maiden name of Zaborski. I feel quite sad as I had often thought of trying to contact her again and, as often happens, never got round to it until now.

lancsdave · 13-07-2007, 12:47

Aww that's a shame. If you found some details perhaps you could write to her family and pass on your condolences. They may tell you how her life was over all those years.

WillowTheWhisp · 13-07-2007, 12:49

Oh that is such a shame Westender.

West Ender · 13-07-2007, 13:00

Having emailed the local paper in Milwaukee, maybe her sister might see it, if they print it. Antonette (Toni) was only 12 when we started writing to each other and I was 13. I remember a photo she sent me of her and her brother and sister, they all had dark wavy hair, and at the end of all her letters she used to say, "My dad says Hello."

I'm so sad I missed her by such a short time.

WillowTheWhisp · 13-07-2007, 13:01

It seems sadder somehow doesn't it that it is only weeks ago that she died? I do hope someone from the family gets in touch with you.

Lolly · 13-07-2007, 15:30

What a shame. I hope her family get in touch with you.

garinda · 13-07-2007, 16:14

That's so sad.

It makes you realise how every little bit of time is precious.

LancYorkYankee · 13-07-2007, 17:18

I too am very sorry for you Westender! If you get to the right people at her local paper, this would make an interesting human interest story. They may go out of their way to dig around for you!

I hope it works out for you . . . boy, things like that can just crush one's spirit. I will truly be praying for comfort for you Mate!

Brian

mallard · 13-07-2007, 17:22

That was so sad,but is was brill,for what you have done and not forgoten

panther · 13-07-2007, 17:25

what a shame, I too had a penpal somewhere in america, and often wonder where she is or what she is doing now, havent written to her for over 20 years