Messenger-Press from Allentown, New Jersey • 14

14A The Messenger-Press Thursday, March 28,2002 HISTORICALLY SPEAKING was fun to be with and a very tion from the ladies. Delicious generous aunt. She wrote to me cookies, pies, and other goodies regularly during my college were made for the tea parties years and many of the letters and for regular consumption as Linda Konover Meirs 1884-1972 Part Five With the kind permission of Ruth Holmes Honadle, Upper Freehold historian and co-author with her son, George, of "Twixt Crosswicks Creek and Burlington Path," the fascinating history of her Aunt Linda is presented here. This heartwarming story of an extraordinarily well-decorated War World I Army nurse is offered in recognition of March being designated as Women's History Month. Linda Konover Meirs joins other notable woman from the Allentown-Upper Freehold recently nominated by the Historical Society to participate in the NJ Women's Heritage Trail program.

Melinda Konover Meirs was born in Cream Ridge on June 5, 1 884. She spent her early years in Allentown, although the family later moved to Lebanon. In the 1950s, Aunt Linda made yearly visits to Madeline Wilkinson, also a retired nurse, in Fort Meyer, and would return to New Jersey for the summer. Aunt Elsa, Uncle Charles' wife, died in 1963. Aunt Linda went to Yardley, to live with Uncle Charles until she died in 1972.

She is buried in the Meirs family plot at the Allentown Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Family had always been very important Aunt Linda. She was very good to all of us, including her three nieces (Helen and Ruth Holmes and Linda McNeely), and her three nephews (Charles and Joseph Holmes and George McNeely), as well as her great-nieces and great-nephews. One of my earliest memories is her taking me to see my first Broadway show, the Marx Brothers in "Animal Crackers." There were overnight trips with her to New York, Manville, the Jersey Shore, and longer trips to Virginia and Florida. She During her years in the United States after the war, she continued to enjoy traveling.

She often visited a fellow nurse from her Mexico City days. She lived in Peoria, with her husband, an American doctor she met at the Mexico City Hospital. Aunt Linda and Mrs. Cutter frequently flew to Mexico City for a vacation. She also vacationed in Florida, New England, Virginia and the Jersey Shore.

She owned a cottage in Stone Harbor in the 1930s and 1940s, which she later sold to Aunt Lillie and Uncle Phil. After her retirement, she stayed in Virginia with Miss Quimby, also a retired nurse. In 1942, she returned to New Jersey to live with her sister Anna, my mother, in Cream Ridge. She also spent time with Aunt Lillie and Uncle Phil in Bound Brook. She lived in Cream Ridge during World War II, and would use her sugar ration to make cookies for the GIs, whom she considered "her boys." well.

Aunt Linda was an excellent cook and was especially noted for her delightful piecrust. She also liked to tease Ann and George and liked it when they teased her right back. She was funny and caring, children loved her and she loved them. But she did not intend to give up her work and settle down, as a married woman of her generation was expected to do. The following paragraph from the article in the December 1921 issue of the "Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine" characterizes Nurse Meirs war service, and she retained this same spirit throughout her life: but of all the American nurses her served abroad, perhaps Miss Linda Meirs' career is more filled with color and war contained a few dollars.

Aunt Linda would spend money on someone else before herself. She enjoyed her cups of coffee and cigarettes at frequent intervals throughout the day, when she was not working. They were her "luxuries." The only concern about her clothes was that they be clean and mended. She spent her professional life in uniform, and otherwise, except for a few special occasions, any of her "old rags" (her term for her clothes) would do. Though on those special occasions, she did look quite nice.

Aunt Linda always had time to play with the children in the family and to listen to what they had been doing. One of our daughter Ann's memories of her visits to Cream Ridge isf the daily tea party with Aunt Linda. If our son, George, were also visiting, he would receive an invita- son to inspire soldiers and patients with awe, admiration" and affection." Words cannot truly depict Aunt Linda. It was a great pleasure to know her and to be part of her family. She was a wonderful aunt.

She made up her own mind and was very determined about what she would and would not do, and would always help someone in need. "Red Harvest" shows her as she truly was. She more than pulled her own weight in this world, enjoyed life and wanted everyone else to do the same. She believed in moral and Christian conduct, but could bend any rule if it would benefit someone else. Linda Konover Meirs kept her promise to herself to travel around the world.

She imparted some of her spirit to all persons who were a part of her life and she made all proud to have known her. She was a blithe spirit, she was an earnest spirit, she was unique. Historically Speaking is' a regular feature presented by John Fabiano, president of the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society. For information about the historical society, send e-mail to or call (609) 259-9127. romance than that of any of her associates.

Most of her work was done within the sounds of roaring guns at the Front, She came through her fust baptism of fire with a spirit only made the more determined to endure the hardship and sacrifice all things. She was the kind of per- ROTARY District 7500 nfl Related Football Camps "Daily Instructions from members of the Giants and Eagles" Ages 8-18 'Overnight Locations June July BECOME A MEMBER OF YOUR LOCAL ROTARY TEAM JOIN OTHER PROFESSIONAL MEN WOMEN WHO MAKE THEIR TOWN COUNTRY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE For more information about joining a Rotary Club call District 7500 Governor Jeff Donoghue toll free 1-888 458-2687 or jeffdonoghuefnsn.com BiQD Jam Jason Fan AJ. Huoh Amml Cadi Sam Holla ANOTHER FANTASTIC Thomas, SUMMER FORECAST: Thmh, Gam Fgnwa, Fealty, tuti. Gams, OMtm tMM aMj mmm Mm SUMMER! Monmouth and Burlington Counties Limited Enrollment! Outstandlna Coachlna Staff! "THE BEST FOOTBALL CAMPS IN THE USA!" 1 i'll 1 in il '-mn iHfTK 1 1 ara 1 il li raHV'fflGKSir THE CARIBBEAN SAVE MOW FOR SUMMER HUZ2YI All Pool Include: Fitter Pump Fane Slain SsHn Vinyl Lining Pool Ladder Heavy Gauge Bracing Sundeck IrUUFIMAHCIXGABRUXSED CAUNOW-CAliTOmEE mil SHOP AT HOMl SIRVXJ 888-224-2217 DIAMOND POOLS i- 1 24 HOURS TOU FREE SERVICE, DAILY SUNDAY 1 mm f. I v.i Yrii I t'v PRINCETON JUNIOR SCHOOL Pre-School to 5th Grade Academic Excellence in a Nurturing Environment Princeton Junior School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, national origin, religion or disability in its program or admissions.

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