Saying Goodbye to Grandmas Hands . . . Always Concerned About “the babies” . . . Invitation to share our sorrow
My Mom suffered affects of dementia but she still remembered my activism and I explained to her about Gaza and the slaughter of “the babies” and thus forward she would often ask about “the babies” – she remembered Palestine by its actual name – since when she was young that is what it was (and still is).
I have been providing care to mom for the last 2 years 5 days per week in her home.
Grandma was horrified and upset about the babies. She would worry about my participation and was familiar with dangers of protest or just per her motherly instinct expressed concern for my safety. I had to explain that I was not going to the place where the killing was occurring but that it was sometimes scary at our protests too.
The horrors we endure every day in Gaza and elsewhere in the world – we struggle amidst the many struggles in our personal lives that take toll on us every day.
Best to all in staying up on your pivot – facing the challenges of the struggle and our day to day personal struggles.
Our family and friends invite you to share in our sorrow for Loretta, my Mom. During her struggles she did suffer at times from her challenges. We all share in the suffering and sorrow for our loved ones and for the defenseless from injustices and we face our own daily challenges. If you care to spend a minute or two with us we welcome you to celebrate the life of Loretta Witanek, my mother but also a grandmother whose endless love and yearning to provide and share is now lost from this world.
There will be sharing and song.
Loretta D Witanek
January 27, 1932 – November 6, 2024
Loretta D. Witanek 92, of Carteret, fondly known as “Chippy”, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. She was born in Queens, New York, grew up in Brooklyn and settled in Carteret in 1967 with her dear, husband, James Witanek, where she raised her three sons. Loretta spent many years as a bookkeeper, enjoyed arts and crafts, was a den mother and participated in a women’s musical group called the AChords. In service to her community of Carteret, Loretta was instrumental with others in stopping the building of an incinerator which would have been built on the location of Carteret’s beautiful Waterfront Park. She is predeceased by her parents, Frances and William Kenney; son, Daniel Witanek; husband, James Witanek and her brother, Billy. Loretta is survived by her loving sons, James and Robert Witanek and his wife, Susan Colby; beloved grandchildren, Robert, James and Ethan; her two sisters, Dolly and Faith; brother, Arthur and several nieces and nephews.
