7/13/96 by Carol:
Today was an exciting
day. My sister Beverly called and
said she had some exciting news. Phyllis had visited "Uncle Charlie",
Carlimo Chillemi in Somerville, MA. Phyllis told him that she was the
daughter of Concetta Chillemi and that she was born on Augist 21 1936 and was he
related to her. He said that yes he knew Phyllis and that he was her uncle
and he immediately called his brother Giovanni "John" Chillemi. To
tell him the news about Phyllis.
She had been looking
for the family but only in the North End of Boston. She asked Uncle John to please
tell her that Leo LeDoux was not her father. Uncle John told her that it was
true, Leo was not her father, and she jumped up and hugged him. Apparently Phyllis disliked Leo
immensely. Phyllis now lives in Florida and was in Boston for some sort of
treatment this week. They said that Phyllis never remarried after her husband
died in the Boston Fire. They described Phyllis as being tall and thin. It was
very emotional for me and after I called my daughter Tina and told her the good
news I wept. It is very exciting to find Phyllis after all these years and I
know in my heart our mother would be happy that we did. Cousin Joe is going to
get Phyllis's phone number and address for us.
We weren't able to secure the phone number and address in this way, as Uncle
Charlie couldn't remember where he put it.
After searching through phone directories, we located her friend, Kitty
Sears, and called the number asking for Phyllis.
Kitty asked me who was calling. I
said to tell her it's her sister. We
spoke. Soon after that
conversation, my sister Beverly, my daughter and I made plans to visit Phyllis
in Lakeland Florida the weekend after Labor Day.
We have a tape recording of the flight and video tape footage of our
visit. (Channel 11 News - Inaugural Flight of the Westpac to Orlando)
Phyllis died shortly after this visit. It was like she finally got closure
to parts of her life that were always a mystery to her. She had been lied
to by everyone all those years.
This true family
story will be written in the near future.
Look
For The "Childhood Years" next.