Josephine Chmura Morris

Eulogy by Brian J. Morris at St. Joseph's Church: Thanks for being here today to celebrate the life of Josephine, Aunt Jo, Mom, Grandma and, to me, Nanny Morris. For those who do not know me, I am her grandson, Brian. I want to say a few words about Nanny and I also want to thank my cousin Mary for helping me put my thoughts together. Born into a large family, one of 11 children, and raised on a farm, she didn't always have it easy but learned to make the best of any situation. She was never one to complain. Though no Mother Theresa, she was a kind person. By example, I think that she taught my brothers and me one of the most basic things, treat others as you would want to be treated yourself. Some of you may know the saying she had for this, "Be a good chicken". During her journey on earth, there are many ways each of you may have shared time with Nanny. I want to highlight a few of my own and others that you may remember as well - - My brothers and I were in a bowling league at Mid-City Lanes when we were kids. After bowling, we would go over to her apartment, which was across the street, where she would make us breakfast. She could make the crispiest bacon and a great egg on toast. While her culinary skills were not so great during the rest of the day, she was undeniably one of the best short-order breakfast cooks around. Nanny was not one to throw things away. Having lived through the Depression, she knew how value the things that she had. This translated into a home that had items that each had a story usually dating back many years. I think she liked to keep these things around her as they also told the story of her life. This was also made clear by her large collection of framed pictures of the people she cared for. She clearly liked to be surrounded by those that she loved and that loved her in return. On various occasions, we would accompany her when she would go visiting, which she would do most days of the week. She would stop by the houses of her family and friends, sharing a cup of coffee, partaking of any leftovers, and taking the prior days newspapers for the coupons, of course. Nanny loved to drive. I think that deep down, she was a scientist. Anyone who ever drove with her knows that she was constantly testing the laws of inertia, stomping on the gas and stomping equally hard on the brakes. Well, maybe not a scientist. More likely a NYC cab driver. Nanny loved going to the annual Chmura family picnic where family and friends come together for a fun filled day, creating lasting memories. She loved to kick back, eat and talk, all things she was very good at. You may remember Nanny as one of the Three Musketeers. She, my grandmother Bruno and Mrs. Esper diligently gardened the overgrown city lot in uptown Kingston that has since become known as the Peace Park. Someone remarked that the way they think the Peace Park got its name is due to the fact that 3 strong willed, independent women were able to work long hours together in the hot sun all day long and still remain good friends. When they weren't gardening, the three ladies would be sitting in lawn chairs on North Front Street greeting passersby. They didn't watch TV all that much, as they had North Front Street to keep themselves entertained. Though they did like to finish the day with an episode of Golden Girls. Nanny would not let food go to waste. If you had anything left on your plate, it would go to the human garbage disposal. She also knew how to reuse a piece of aluminum foil and even a paper towel, multiple times. She would also make sure every light in the house was turned off unless completely necessary. While some people may think that Nanny was frugal, I'm here to set the record straight. She was. I can't tell you the number of times I saw her steal jellies and sugar packs from the diner. But seriously, she was also way ahead of her time, an true environmentalist without knowing it. She was also a language teacher. To this day, I know how to say housefly "muha", washcloth "smevak" and old woman "stadda babba", in Czech. She also taught me to say "domi bochu", which means give me a kiss. Nanny was great at winning call-in contests on the radio. It was uncanny. Period. You may have come to know my grandmother during her last several years of residency at Golden Hill. She was the one whose son would get her singing old tunes and perhaps telling jokes. You may have heard one of her favorite jokes, "How are you three different nationalities when you have to go to the bathroom. First, you are Russian, then European, then your Finnish." While on the topic of Golden Hill, I want to acknowledge the devotion my Dad showed to his mother. He went to see her most every day. I know that Nanny was very proud to have him as a son and I am equally proud to have him as my father. Regardless of the time period in which you met her, Nanny's love of her family, both immediate and extended, remained consistent as did her fondness for having a good time, living life in pious manner, the ability to make any situation a positive one, and finding the good in people she met along the way. While she will be missed terribly her husband Jack, her son Bob, several of her brothers and sisters and many others will be glad she has arrived at long last to spend time with them. She will also live on here, in our minds and in our hearts as a good person, a good aunt, a good mother, a good grandmother, and overall. a good chicken. ---------------------------------------------------- Josephine P. Morris, formerly of North Front St., Kingston died Tuesday, July 20, 2010 at Golden Hill Health Care Center. She was 94. She was born in McKees Rocks, PA, a daughter of the late Stephen and Anna Raytek Chmura. An area resident since 1925, she married John H. Morris. For many years Mrs. Morris worked in area garment factories. For 19 years she worked at Hercules Powder Plant and then retired. Mrs. Morris was cited by the Friends of Historic Kingston for beautifying and maintaining City property on the corner of North Front and Crown Streets. This is now known as the "Peace Park." She also received a citation from the Third District of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State for urban lot beautification. She attended St. Joseph's Church and belonged to the former St. Joseph's Senior Citizens Club. Her husband, John H. "Jack" Morris died January 31, 1981; one son Robert "Bobby" Morris died February 4, 2001; three brothers John, Albert and Stephen Chmura and one sister Elizabeth Funcheon, two daughter in laws Esther Morris and Rose Komasa Morris all died previously. Surviving are two sons Nicholas S. Morris and John Morris; one brother Paul Chmura of Kingston; five sisters Agnes McCloskey of Demarest, NJ, Frances Kent of Hamden, CT, Irene Nicholas of Kingston, Mary Donohue of St. Simon, GA and Barbara Elliott of Cape Cod, MA; ten grandchildren Jack, David, Brian and Marilyn Morris, Robert Morris Jr., Colleen Scherrieble, David Morris, Nicholas E., Brian J. and Stephen Morris, 10 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Friday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. The funeral procession will form on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Church at 10:00 a.m. A committal service will then be conducted at St. Mary's Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Golden Hill "Activities Fund", 99 Golden Hill Dr., Kingston, NY 12401.