Teresa Camarata Obituary

Dear Romona:



We had left California about a month ago and hadn't been at home since then. I am sorry that Jan and I didn't know so we might have passed the visitation or the funeral to express our sympathies to you and your family.



I knew your mother had been ailing but we haven't spoken in almost two years so I didn't know how seriously ill she had become. But however prepared we think we are, the death comes as a shock. I remember the days my father spent in the hospital before his death and how we expected him to die but were not prepared when death came. I suppose that is because there is a finality about it and it is hard to comprehend that we will never see or hear them again. I think that is especially true when we lose a parent. As long as they live they exist like sentries for us in some perimeter of darkness. After they are gone we step forward to take their place.



In a world where thousands of men, women and children can die in an earthquake or the World Trade Center, I suppose one has to take the passing of a wonderful woman who had lived a useful, fruitful life for a number of years with some equanimity. A few days ago I went down to the city to get away from the routine and sat in a cafe on the 16th floor of a building overlooking Belmont Harbor, Lake Shore Drive, and the park and lake. From winter which had its own melancholy beauty to the summer when the population of the city exploded into the parks I felt I occupied some Olympian peak from which to observe life. On weekends in the summer the park swarms with people, young men and young women sunbathing, cyclists and joggers, the old soaking up the sun and children in the playground. One felt the teeming, unquenchable thrust of life so that when I walked among them, a greying, aging man I felt what a fragment of humanity each of us occupy. Life and death were like the drawing in or expelling of a single breath, passing as swiftly as that.



Meanwhile, there are some consolations. The dead are beyond any further aging or suffering, at rest in that fitzgeraldian place where, in the words of Nick Carraway, "man at last gives up his spouse, his child, his friend." While the rest of us poor devils must go about the struggle of living. But we have our memories and we have our responsibility to transform into light and worth all that we have experienced or understood. We carry the soul and blood of those who have gone before so long as we live, a part of them remains alive as well.



Please pass my sympathies to your father and to the balance of your family, as well. I hope your work and life are fruitful and I look forward to seeing you sometime, eventually, when we might just sit down and visit.



With affection and warm regards,



Spencer



20 West 415 Peters Court

Downers Grove, Illinois

60516



630-910-7277

To John, Janet and all of your family, you have my deepest sympathy. John, I never met your mom, but you always talked fondly of her. I know she will be missed. She raised a great son. My thoughts and prayers are with your whole family. Sincerely Peggy ( A.J.L. Electric Inc.

Mr. Camarata, I am Rolf Poltermann's daughter. We want to express our deepest regrets for your loss. God Bless your family.

Sarah

Sid,

We never had the pleasure of meeting your lovely wife, but we feel sure that she knew, even through her illness, that she was loved and was cared for with love and affection.

We are all very sorry for your loss and will keep her in our prayers as we will you and your family.

Sully, Susan and all at Custom Flooring.