Aunt Rachel Weaver Kreider recently celebrated her 100th birthday. Had she been born even 50 years later, she surely would have obtained the doctorate (for she was qualified for admittance), become a distinguished professor, academic mentor and writer, but the depression years were not kind to Mennonite women with academic abilities but lacking independent financial resources. Even so, she somehow managed to attend graduate school, where she was an ardent pacifist--at a time when such views were neither popular nor tolerated by most students, faculty and administrators (see the interesting article by her son-in-law, James Juhnke on
Rachel as a graduate student). As I recall, she obtained the M.A. in Latin, a milestone even today. While her husband completed his doctorate in chemistry, she started working on Mennonite genealogy and this led, decades later, to her magisterial 850-page work, co-authored with Hugh F. Gingerich,
Amish and Amish Mennonite genealogies, a work which will surely be one of those rare studies that actually withstands the test of time.
She has authored or co-authored other publications, some of which include:
- The Mennonite Cemeteries of Medina County, Ohio, with a brief historical sketch of the churches.
- A History of the Eighth Street Mennonite Church, 1913-1978
- A History of the First United Mennonite Church, Wadsworth, Ohio, 1852-1952
- A Genealogy prepared for the descendants of Lloyd and Adelia (Stover) Kreider
Before I understood any of this and before the word "genealogy" entered my vocabulary, I knew Aunt Rachel as one who cast spells over me whenever she told stories. These were stories of ancestors, stories of families in deep difficulty, stories of family secrets (told with a twinkle of the eye that still persists), stories of struggles, little victories, losses, unemployment, hard times, family bonds, small achievements, broken hearts. All of these stories were told with a mixture of historical acumen and a sympathetic understanding of the characters. Through all of this, I do not remember her saying anything in an unkind way--it was just told quietly, 'the way it was'. True, there were a few more side paths explored than I usually desired, paths leading into other genealogies ("she was so-and-so's second cousin through Fanny" or whoever). Aunt Rachel was the one to show to my generation that our family has a rich and complicated history, and that we should not think of ourselves solely as Kreiders, for family trees are more complicated than a single branch bearing a single last name.
Today was truly a celebration. I have no idea how many people dropped by the Eighth Street Mennonite Church in Goshen, IN to wish her well, but during my 80-minute stay, there was always a reception lineup waiting to greet Aunt Rachel as she sat on a chair which was sufficiently raised to let her sit while people came to hug her and chat briefly.
The day also reminded me of loved ones no longer with us: Anna (Jim has just published some writing by Anna, the sales of which will add to the scholarship in her honour), Sara, Leonard, Carl, Don and Elda (those six alone would have provided an afternoon of unparalleled entertainment in the old days). A number of nephews, nieces, grandchildren, etc. had to be elsewhere. Ruth and Ken, Jim and others wanted to attend, but distance and schedules can be formidable obstacles.
These pictures certainly did not catch everybody (Aunt Evelyn to name but one) but they will hopefully give a bit of the flavour of this very nice low-key event, the sort of event that put Aunt Rachel at ease. For she enjoys nothing more than reconnecting with people (and she remembers names).
The reception line never seemed to diminish during the 80 minutes we stayed. Mind you, the most difficult thing imaginable for Rachel is being with a good friend and ending the conversation. In the upper right-hand corner, you can just see Emil (the organizer) standing beside Rachel (seated), the line stretching to the left.
In her inimitable way, Aunt Rachel spoke with each person in turn, always remembering them. As we see brilliant minds fade in some of those we love, it is encouraging to watch this centenarian hold forth.
Emil's wife, Louise was assisting at every turn, working the tables, greeting people everywhere. It was special for me when she came to speak with Dad and Mom, ensuring that Dad could hear what she said.
Soon after Dad arrived by wheelchair, someone very kindly told Janice that he need not wait in the long lineup to meet Rachel, but that he should go to the front. When Janice relayed this to me, I wheeled Dad right up front. Cousin Dierra was next in line and without hesitation, she knowingly winked and generously let us in. Well . . . all Rachel did was exclaim, "Robert!" and they both broke into tears. She had doubted that he would be able to come, and he initially did not think the outing would be possible. But Dad was having a good day, he was determined to go for Rachel's sake, and the outing was wonderful for him.
Dad was about 10 when Rachel came into his life by dating Leonard. In a sense, she has been his elder sister for 80 years. Dad always looked up to Leonard (tennis, academic achievements, commitment to the church), and admired Rachel's grasp of things. After Leonard and Rachel moved to Greencroft, the four of them grew closer. Leonard and Dad exchanged papers (Chicago Tribune and Wall Street Journal), they both watched stocks and plotted them carefully, Leonard frequently shared vegetables from his garden with the folks, and once Leonard and Rachel could no longer drive, Dad would take them to get groceries or a haircut. Dad was also faithful to Leonard during his final months in ways many people will never get to experience. I was so glad Dad's health enabled him to honour his eldest 'sister' today.
This shows Rachel, Janice and Emil, with Greg and Karen in the background. They are living in the cob house he built most creatively when not working in Antartica.
The folks got to converse with Eldon and Dierra, Donna (not in this picture) and her husband, Wayne (bottom left corner, they live in upstate NY, sold the family farm, but he is getting back into the maple syrup business, now that the new trees are about 10 years old.)
Many people kindly stopped by the wheelchair to greet the folks.
Although I place this picture after others, Leo was one of the first people to see and immediately get up to greet Dad. I think it was special for all of the cousins to see one of their fathers' siblings. (Leo's sister, Donna, can just be seen in the background.)
Here we see Merritt talking with Greg (Greg's wife Dorie served punch). Greg, Sara, Janice and I overlapped a bit at I.U., so I always enjoy seeing him again. Merritt and Dierra visited us in Vancouver recently, making them truly special people in our lives.
I got see see Alan and Ellie very briefly, but since we are going to their place for lunch soon, we saved our conversation for Tuesday. Here we see Alan listening to Eldon (Chicago).
These events are most certainly not about cakes, but this is the first time I have seen this written on a cake, so I had to photograph it. I later showed these pictures to Rachel, who loved each and every one. She told me stories about many of the people shown here. Interestingly, she was so busy meeting people that she never saw her cake except in this picture. She was quite impressed with it.
Aunt Rachel is now making a book which itemizes each card received, each phone call wishing her well, each visitor to her apartment, and the signatures of those who attended the celebration. Her life has revolved around family, genealogy, church, issues of interest to thinking Mennonites and friends. She has no interest in slowing down. Visiting her can be utterly energizing, stimulating, encouraging, and for us, empowering.
