The Winter Solstice

 

Siblings, Fanny, Abe and ETHEL Pellicoff, 1894. Philadelphia, PA

Today is the Winter Solstice. It also happens to my grandmother's birthday. Ethel Anna Pellicoff Bloom. She would have been 135 years old today! Grandma Ethel died 62 years ago at the age of 73...young for today. I can't believe it's been such a long time. She made a great impression on me. People say I resemble her. She was very artistic. She sewed and crocheted, played the piano, was a champion bridge player and a great cook. Above all, she was thoughtful and taught her children and grandchildren to be kind, fair, honest and true.

Ethel Anna Pellicoff, High School Graduation, 1907,  New Jersey

A few years ago, my cousin Carol told me a story about Grandma I'd never heard before. The Blooms lived in West L.A. from the mid-1930s until a few years after WW 2. Ethel was a realtor. She had many friends in the business, including shop owners, growers and nurseries on Sawtelle Blvd., the Japanese section of West LA. When many of her Japanese friends were relocated to internment camps during the War, Ethel held their properties for them. She collected rents, made sure all repairs were done and generally watched over everything for the owners until they returned to Los Angeles. One family was so appreciative, that they invited Ethel on a trip to Hawaii with them! I'm very proud of my Grandma.  I was just a girl when she passed. I so wish she had been around when I was older so I could have gained more of her wisdom. 

Lawrence and Ethel Bloom with their sons, Mort, George and Baby Hi. Boyle Hts., Los Angeles, 1922

Happy birthday, Grandma!