I only got to know E.F. for 5 years before she passed, but I treasure the memories I do have of her.
Before I even met her, I knew some things about E.F. She loved good food, she had a lot of love for other people, and she loved for other people to enjoy good food.
The first time I met Eddie, he had driven over to CMU to bring Tria home for the winter break and had brought a very large plate of home-made snacks that E.F. made for all of us to eat while Eddie rested. Though we all ate, there was enough left to feed a family of five.
I loved all of the food she made, and had many chances to observe her process. There was care put in to each step and she would only use the freshest ingredients. She was able to whip up the most complicated dishes without a second thought, but when I offered to help, E.F. was patient and was always able to explain each step without me having to ask for clarification.
E.F. had a quick wit and could talk to anybody. Whenever we went together to the bank, the grocery store or anywhere else, she always knew exactly what to say to engage whoever she was interacting with. I remember we once went to the post office and were waiting in line to be served. When we finally got to the counter, the person helping us looked like she was having a bad day. Somehow, E.F. had the clairvoyance to start a conversation with her about TV chef Paula Deen and the woman perked up immediately. E.F was able to engage anybody and wake them from their routine. And with so much love for strangers outside of her home, one can imagine how much love she gave to her family and friends.
Tria had once described her house to me before I ever visited, and for the most part, I could imagine the layout, but the character of the home was something I could only have known by experiencing it first-hand. The color, inside and out, was unlike anything I had seen before in a house. I was accustomed to stark, modern and shiny, but 704 was warm, friendly and welcoming. Art in every corner of the house, I learned that E.F. was talented artist who put love and care into everything she touched, and she had groomed her daughters to be the same way.
When I first met E.F., she welcomed me into her house with open arms and warm food. And that’s how it was ever since. Though she was sick the entire time I had known her, I couldn’t tell for a while, because her energy was so strong.
She gave all of her energy and love to other people and never made a fuss about it.
I was blessed to be considered part of E.F’s family.
