In 2019 while Rosa Lee was recuperating in the hospital after the lung procedure, Janet asked her the following questions. Several of them led to some fascinating stories about Rosa Lee’s family that Janet had never heard before. This Q&A process helped to pass the time for both of them while capturing some valuable information.

 

Questions for Rosa Lee

Q1. What were your favorite sports to watch?

Baseball and basketball

Q2. Did you go to college?

Yes.

Q3. What did you study?

Speech Therapy.

Q4. You received your Masters, but not a PhD. Do you wish you had the opportunity?

I had thought about a PhD, but decided against it. I was satisfied with the education I had received.

Q5. Did you have any pets growing up?

No, it just wasn’t feasible where we lived and our circumstances. Grandma’s palms got very dry while carrying for sick baby Herbie. She would wash her hands in very hot water to prevent the other kids from getting sick. They never did. My mom and dad hired a maid to help protect her hands. I remember Grandma’s doctor was black and he told us he had a difficult time getting into medical school.

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Q6. Did you live in a house or an apartment?

We lived in an apartment. It had 2 bedrooms and there were 5 of us. For the children, there were two beds in one room, plus a fold out bed for me. But I shared my bed with Tilly, our maid. Growing up, I never had a bedroom of my own. After college, I moved back home. My brother Morrie went to army after college and Herbie went away to college. Only I moved home and had my own room and my own bed.

Q7. What was the rest of the house like?

We had a large living room, but no living room furniture until we all went to college. There was a large dining room table to accommodate our extended family and the get togethers. Almost every weekend we would get together with our aunts, uncles and cousins and have a big dinner and play games. On my dad’s side of the family, there was a butcher, a milkman, a grocery store owner, and an ice man, so we weren’t in bad shape.

Q8. Do you know any stories about the history of the family name, or the origins of the family?

My mother’s maiden name was Rosman and they came from Poland. My father’s name was Bernstein he came from Russia. My dad, Sam, was the oldest of about 6 children. Then Uncle Dave, the butcher. Then Aunt Mary. One sibling was taken away in the middle of night to live with a relative in New York. He was Cousin Rita’s father. He was mischievous. He did something with one of the horses – hurt the horse. They sent him away to avoid the police arresting him. Many years later I discussed this with cousin Rita. He was my uncle.

Q9. How many brothers and sisters do you have?

I have 2 brothers, Morrie and Herbie.

Q10. What do you remember about them from growing up?

Morrie was serious and Herbie was a prankster. Herbie got hit by a car twice while playing baseball and broke his left leg twice.

Q11. How did you meet Dad?

My brother Morrie introduced me to Dad and invited him on Thanksgiving. We met in 1949. Morrie and Dad were in dental school together and Morrie thought Dad would be the perfect husband for me…and he was right!

Q12: What big world events were the most memorable while you were growing up?

WWII – I really didn’t know what was happening with Hitler

Q13: What was your favorite thing about school?

Learning

Q14: What was your favorite food from Grandma Jennie?

Sweet and Sour Cabbage Soup

Q15: Who was your favorite teacher, and what was your favorite subject?

Miss Marshall – Spelling

Q16: What was your first job? What was your favorite job?

I remember working for Sears catalogue and was a typist. I was also a hand model.

More questions to ask your parent/grandparent/relative/friend:

• What are the most difficult and most rewarding things about growing older?
• What did you want to be when you grew up?
• What do you remember about your parents? Your grandparents?
• What do you want your children and grandchildren to remember about you?
• What kinds of clothes, hobbies, slang terms were popular when you were a teenager?
• What life advice would you pass along to your grandchildren?
• What were your friends like?
• What were your children like when they were growing up?
• What were your favorite games and hobbies? Did you play any sports? What else did you do for fun?
• What’s your favorite book or movie and why? What was your favorite when you were young?
• Where and when were you born? Did your parents ever share their memories with you about the day you were born?
• Who were your heroes or role models when you were young?

 
 
There is a longer list of questions on the Legacy Project webpage, as well as a treasure trove of family activities, from art projects to guessing games to writing activities. It’s valuable for us all to remember how important it is to spend time with our older relatives, connect with our family heritage and create new memories to share together and pass on to future generations.