Christmas gift for the Liggetts

A note from Harry Liggett:
Our best Christmas gift came today from Helen’s oncologist who said a scan showed no evidence of cancer. Remission, of course, does not mean a cure but Thanks be to God for remission.  It is a far cry from the huge mass near her aorta that put her in Cleveland Clinic for 20 days. “We really blasted it,” the doctor said.  Thanks for all the prayers (K.eep them coming) and may you also have a Merry Christmas.

Personal Note from Harry Liggett

Helen and I are almost back home after a catastrophic illness nightmare at Cleveland Clinic for 20 days--mostly in intensive care.

Helen had surgery at Akron General Medical Center in April for a ruptured ulcer on the back of her stomach. A scan at that time also showed a mass near the aorta. Helen was home for a while and developed a kidney infection. She was given antibiotics and on Sunday, July 29, she could not dress for church. Sunday night I had trouble getting her to the bathroom so Monday morning she was taken to emergency room by ambulance and admitted. A biopsy was needed to determine whether the mass was scar tissue or something else. Because a biopsy would be a delicate procedure, she was transferred to Cleveland Clinic by ambulance on Wednesday July 29. The biopsy was done the next day. When the biopsy report came back August 4, it was determined the mass was b cell lymphoma.

Helen had chemo and 24-7 dialysis. The chemo caused a huge decrease in the mass and she was transferred to a regular room on August 10. A few hours later she started bleeding from the rectum and rushed back to ICU. I called Tom and Bob at 2:30 a.m. Upper and lower gastro intenstinal exams were ordered and it was determined that chemo had caused bleeding of our or five ulcers in the duodenum. She was given prilosec and the bleeding stopped. The tube down her throat, however, caused an extreme soreness in her throat and loss of speech. The chemo also triggered a yeast infection in her groin area. She also still had much fluid in her legs.

Finally on August 17 (Day 20), she was discharged and taken by ambulance to Copley Health Center, 150 Heritage Woods, across from AGMC wellness center for rehabilitation. Room A210. Telephone 330-670-6690.

Thanks for all your prayers. Sorry I have been out of touch, but I am devoting all my time to Helen.

Jenson Loryn Friel photo expected soon

Jensen Loryn Friel, daughter of Robert Todd and Misty Dawn (Bantum) Friel, was born on May 29, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. at the Coshocton County Memorial Hospital. Jensen weighed in at 8 pounds, 13 ounces and is 21 1/2 inches long. Her daddy is in EOD training in Fort Walton Florida. Mother and baby were discharged on Monday and are at her parents' residence and they are doing fine. It is their third child and the fifth grandchild of James Alvin and Patricia Ann Keiser Friel
Photos will be coming soon.

Remembering my Mother

My annual birthday greeting to Mother:

Today, June 1, would have been the 111th birthday of my mother, Lillian Mary (Bilderback) Liggett.

Mother was born June 1, 1898 in Colliers, Brooke County, West Virginia, the daughter of William Fenton Bilderback and Lillian Mary Baker. Her mother was born in 1869 in Demorestville, Sophiasburg Township, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada., the daughter of William Baker and Mary Garrison. William F. Bilderback and Lillian Mary Baker were married March 2, 1892 in Demorestville, Prince Edward County. She died October 26, 1898 at Colliers several months after giving birth to twins and is buried in the cemetery at Burgettstown, Pennsylvania Mother's unnamed twin brother died at birth.

Mother and my father, Harry Doyle Liggett, son of Frank and Nora (Penn) Liggett of Cadiz Junction, Harrison County, Ohio, were married November 17, 1917 in the parsonage of the First Christian Church, 220 N. Fourth St., Steubenville, Ohio, by the Rev. H. D. Darsie. They honeymooned in Syracuse, New York, staying at the home of her aunt and uncle, George and Anna Baker.

Harry Doyle Liggett was working as a telegraph operator in Colliers,for the Pennsylvania Railroad when he met mother who was working as a saleslady at the Woolworth store on Market Sttreet in Steubenville.

They lived in Colliers after their marriage until he was transferred to the old DY tower east of Dennison and the family moved to Dennison on December 19, 1919, living at 211 McCook Ave. He left the railroad and drove a taxicab for six months before going to work as a motorman for the old streetcar line operated by Ohio Service Co. which became the Ohio Power Co. He retired August 31, 1960 as a line foreman after nearly 40 years of service.

The Liggetts moved to 917 W. Court Street in 1922 and to McKee Road, Dennison, on December 17, 1938. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at their home in McKee Road where mother died July 6, 1973 after suffering a heart attack. Father died February 11, 1983 at Twin City Hospital in Dennison. They are buried in Ridgecrest Memory Gardens in Dover.

Mother worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad for two years during World War II, operating the turn table and servicing engines. She was a member of the Good Shepherd United Brethren Church and its Friendship Class.

It's Grandpa Jim Friel--for the fifth time

Jim Friel's son Robert Todd and wife had their third child Friday and Grandpa Jim was so excited he sent emal to everyone, but it did not include the message. So you will have to excuse us if he fails to mention where the baby was born, mother's and grandparents' names. Here's what he wrote:

Jennsen Lorren has arrived. She was born today, May 29, 2009 @ 12:29 pm. Mother and daughter are both doing fine. She came in at a whopping 8lbs 13ozs at 21 inches long. She is a little cutie. She looks very healthy. She is very quiet. We hadn't heard a sound out of her. Grandma and Grandpa Bantum and Grandma and Grandpa Friel all have had our first chance to spoil her. Her siblings didn't know what to think, but they were happy to see her. Now I know why Todd went back into the Marines. He is going to have to raise three girls and that will take a lot of protection. So he is getting ready. I will try and get some pictures out for you to see as soon as I figure out how to do it on the computer. I hope everyone is doing fine.
Talk with you later
Grandpa Jim, Fifth time

Chelsea Alexis Terazzi

Joyce (Liggett) Terazzi sends us some nice photos of her granddaughter Chelsea Alexis Terazzi which were provided by Chelsea’a mother, Wendy.

Click on the headline to see others.

Ong to speak at Claymont baccalaureate

UHRICHSVILLE —John D. Ong of Hudson, a former ambassador to Norway, will be featured speaker at the Claymont High baccalaureate Thursday at 7 p.m. in First Presbyterian Church at 633 N. Main St., Uhrichsville.

The service is sponsored by Claymont High and the Twin City Ministerial Assn.

Seven students will be awarded scholarships during the service from area churches and/or Claymont High and all graduating seniors will be recognized.

Ong, a native of Uhrichsville and 1951 graduate of the former Uhrichsville High, was appointed by President George W. Bush as ambassador to Norway in 2001 and served until Nov. 30, 2005.

“As in the past we have always had a graduate from Claymont or its predecessor, Uhrichsville or Dennison High School as the main speaker,” said Rev. Mark Unrue, host pastor. “This year we are especially blessed to have John Doyle Ong be our speaker.”

Ong is chairman emeritus of the B.F. Goodrich Co. and retired as chairman of the board of directors in 1997 after more than 36 years of service to the company.

He held a variety of positions during his tenure at B.F. Goodrich, including vice-president and president of International B.F. Goodrich and president and chief operating officer.
From 1979 until 1996, he served as chairman and chief executive officer.

In 1984, President Reagan appointed Ong to the President’s Commission on Industrial Competitiveness, where he served as co-chair of its International Trade Committee.

He is a life trustee of the University of Chicago and is a trustee of Ohio State University, the Musical Arts Assn. of Cleveland, Ohio (Cleveland Orchestra), and the Fort Ligonier Assn., and a trustee emeritus of Western Reserve Academy in Hudson.

Ong received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Ohio State University and his law degree from Harvard University. He is married to Mary Lee (Schupp) Ong; they have three grown children.

Helen is home after emergency surgery

Note from Harry Liggett:

Helen got home from Akron General Medical Center yesterday after emergency surgery at 2:30 a.m. Thursday for a perforated ulcer in the back of the stomach (a hole that had to be closed by surgery.) She had been having severe pains. She seems to be doing fine except this was our first week of nice weather and she is really aggravated because she loves to be outdoors working in the yard and garden.

Thanks for all your prayers and help. Sorry I don't have time to email you all personally
I am busy doing grocery shopping and housework which I also do not enjoy.

Mass for Mary Ann Gabelman is Friday

[She is the mother of Susan (Tom) Liggett, grandmother of Erin and Anna Liggett]

Mary Ann Gabelman, 76, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on March 23, 2009 after a long illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, and one grandchild.

Mary Ann was a homemaker for 57 years. Also, she was a talented seamstress and a dedicated volunteer. Her clothing designs ranged from simple summer shorts, to exquisite prom dresses for her daughters, to a family baptismal gown that has been worn by many of her grandchildren. Each grandchild received a homemade quilt from Grandma on the day of their birth. She also helped design and sew costumes for many Hoban High School musical productions in the early 1980's. She was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church and belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society. Additionally, she was a long time volunteer at the Interval Brotherhood Home.

She leaves her children, Donald (Mary Alice), Robert (Kathleen), Patricia (Russ) Wilson, Mary Ellen (Rocky) Dysart, Catherine (Gil) Shepherd, and Susan (Tom) Liggett. She also leaves 15 grandchildren, Jared, Shiloh, Nathan, Angela, Hannah, Nicole, David, Kristina, Joshua, Jeremiah, Justin, Jonathan, Jordan, Erin, and Anna; and three great-grandchildren, Sabrea, Davis, and Daniel.

Also surviving is her faithful cat, Chloe, and many other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church (2101 17th St. SW) followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home (811 Grant St.) prior to the Mass.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Chambrel at Montrose (especially the wonderful nurses and aides in Heatherwood Hall), and Hospice of Summa for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Mary Ann's memory with a donation to your favorite charity.

``May the Lord's face shine upon you, Mom, and give you peace forever."
[Beacon Journal, Akron, OH, Wednesday, March 25, 2009, page B6. col.. 3 ]

A St, Patrick's note from Akron

It' s time again to wish a "Happy Birthday" to my great-great grandmother Eliza Cotter who would be 182 years old this St. Patrick's Day. She was born on a March 17 near Newry in County Armagh.

She had a daughter, Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" (my great-grandmother), who like my granddaughter Anna was born on Christmas Day. And, of course, my other granddaughter is named Erin. Myself, more like an ordinary three-leaf clover, was born on the third day of the third month of 1930.

~~Harry Liggett

A comment about Granny from Dale Friel

I was particularly moved by the tribute to Granny posted June 1, 2008. I tried to make a comment but I got too wordy for the space provided. I want to express the memories and feelings that the photo and article evoked in me.

Granny was a loving, patient and remarkable woman. I have so many fond memories of spending time with her and Granddad at McKee Road , a place where I always felt welcomed and at home. If I close my eyes and clear my thoughts I can recall some of my oldest memories, the smell the sawdust, and the machine oil from the metal lathes in Granddad’s workshops. I remember the warmth of the concrete walks and patios in summer, the apple tree and the giant swing made from power polls and the thrill of being swung by you, uncle John uncle Bill and Granddad. I remember the love, gentleness and kindness I always felt from aunt Helen and aunt Betty. And if I'm really still I can hear Granny’s voice as she calls out to Grandad in the shop, "Doyle, time for dinner". So much of my world view is shaped from the values, and principles that were modeled for me by my mother’s family. I have a good life and I feel blessed to have been born into the Liggett lineage.
~Dale

See the original post

Sophie Adele Friel joins the family

Sophia Adele Friel, daughter of Kyle and Christina Friel, was born Friday, January 30, at 10:01 p.m. She weighs 8 pounds 0.5 ounces and her length is 19.5 inches. Mom and baby are bothdoing fine.

from

Helen and Harry Liggett in Akron, OH