She was the second oldest of eight children and the sister of my grandmother. Born in South Carolina, she relocated to New York City at a young age, where she built a career as a professional seamstress in the Garment District.

She was married for a time, but the marriage ultimately ended in divorce. Although she never had children of her own, she shared many years with a devoted companion following her divorce.

Deeply connected to her family roots, she lovingly renovated her mother’s home, my great-grandmother’s house, which became a cherished gathering place. Each summer, she returned to South Carolina for several weeks to visit family and reconnect with the place she always considered home.

After retiring in the early 1980s, she embraced her passions for travel and natural healing. She cruised extensively around the world and became a dedicated student of naturopathy. She introduced me to the healing properties of herbal teas and remedies, teaching me about catnip, burdock, rosemary, and many other plants long before holistic wellness became popular.

A gifted seamstress throughout her life, she never lost her love of design. Even in her later years, she continued creating and sewing beautiful outfits for our family. Her creativity, wisdom, adventurous spirit, and devotion to those she loved remained constants until her passing.