Norma Klau

Evelyn's Memoirs: Her Journey Through the 20th Century Norma Klau

Evelyn Berndt Bilello was a liberated woman before the bra-burning days of the sixties. She just didn't know it. Evelyn made up her mind that she was going to leave the farm in Thurso, Quebec, Canada and have a career. Growing up as the oldest child of eight she witnessed the hard times and saw what her parents endured to raise these children. The difficult life of the early, pioneer farmer prompted her desire to cultivate her very academic mind. She was saddened to leave her family who she dearly loved in order to become a nurse in 1929 at the age of 22. Teaching local students in a one room schoolhouse at the age of 15 offered her some rewards but she knew she would have to leave her country and head for New York City to fulfill her dreams. In spite of all her struggles and close-encounters Evelyn remains the determined woman she was destined to be. Although the focus of her life was nursing she fell in love at a masquerade ball in Brooklyn, New York, married and raised two daughters. She juggled her career and family during the 1950's when most women were living the role of "at home" Mom. After 50 years of marriage, Evelyn in her golden years was able to use her nursing skills in order to grant my father's wish to die at home. It is at this time that she began her memoir writing. Evelyn, now a great-grandmother, resides at the Atrium in Allendale New Jersey and continues to be the positive individual she has always been. She participates in activities and enjoys the staff and residents company. In fact, Evelyn finds it difficult to find the time to complete her book because she enjoys Tai Chi, vocabulary building games, ceramics, and travelogues. As her daughter (who has had the opportunity to visit her almost daily) I have enjoyed these stories so much that I co-authored the stories along with Mom, when she lost patience with writing. I also took pencil in hand and re-created the scenarios that she described so beautifully. Follow along these pages with Evelyn as she