Friday, October 14, 2016
To the daughters, grandchildren, other relatives and friends of Laura Fleming (Glaski).
I have heard the news that Laura passed away a few days ago.
My siblings, Carol de Coursey, Anita Valentine and Tony Valentine, and our cousin, Laura Fleming, all had the same paternal grandmother, who was also named Laura. Laura’s mother, Clara Fleming (formerly Clara Valentine), was the sister of our father, Alfred (also known as Freddie) Valentine.
I am told that when we were small kids, all of us lived in the same Brooklyn neighbourhood, however my memory of those days is a bit dim - I was only about two and a half years old when my parents took me and Carol to Australia in 1951 – My only recollections of those Brooklyn days were being dressed in cute clothes which once been worn by Laura or Carol or both of them! ( They were both about six years older than I was.)
A few years after Alfred’s family left New York (mid 1950s or thereabouts) Laura, our Aunt Clara and our paternal grandmother Laura made the journey to the other side of the world to see us. It was a memorable and happy time. Laura and her “Aussie” cousins had no trouble amusing ourselves, while the adults did whatever adults do at times like these. My most vivid memories feature trips (by foot mostly) to Northbridge baths. There we all swam in an enclosure on Sydney harbour, ate “paddle pops” (an aussie ice confection on a stick) and then laid on our beach towels tanning ourselves (not recommended these days). With the combination of her fair hair, olive skin and a touch of sunshine Laura was a beautiful child.
Although my siblings and I did not see Laura again for some years, we did see photos, particularly her wedding photos: our childhood friend had become an even more beautiful young woman.
By the time I saw Laura again it was the mid-late 1960s. I had travelled to New York for an extended holiday with my sister Carol. I was then 19 years old and Laura had three gorgeous little girls. From New York City I made the trip to Long Island several times during that period. I quickly got to know Laura again. I discovered that she was not only beautiful, but a kind and caring person. Although she was my cousin, during this period Laura became my “agony aunt” (in other words, my confidante) during my long-distance courtship with Dominic Kelly, via Air Mail. Yes folks, no email or mobile phones in those days! On one of these occasions, the phone rang with a long distance call from Australia. It was Dominic, asking me to marry him! Of course, Laura was the first to know of this. (Dominic and I married in North Sydney in 1969.)
Other get-togethers between Laura and the Aussie cousins were, sadly, few and far between. Notwithstanding 21st century modes of travel and communication, keeping in touch with people living on the other side of the world remains quite a challenge.
At times like this, it is fortunate that we have stayed in touch through Carol and therefore are able to pay our respects to the memory of our lovely cousin and to offer our sympathy to the members of her family and close friends who will miss her dearly.
Yours sincerely
Donna Valentine (Neerim Junction, Victoria, Australia) 14 October 2016
