Aunty Becky Tombstone setting
On behalf of the Ungar clan,
I and Rochelle are sorry we could not be here today,
Rochelle and I have only the fondest memories of Becky,
From the days at the Menorah Primary School
Where, as our teacher, we still remember the vocabulary list
and the multiplications tables!
As well her impatience with our arithmetic development!
Which was matched only by her insisting that no child might think
we were getting preferential treatment because she was our aunt.
But she was always fair (unlike our mum who seemed arbitrary
most of the time).
Those ancient days still bear down in the deep recesses of the psyche.
It was hard to reconcile Becky as a teacher during the week, and loving aunt on Sundays,
When we went round to Mallard Way or their newer home in Kingsbury.
The contrast between her sweet fried fishballs and
Mum’s unsweetened, boiled, fishballs
(They were small soft and delicious just like her.)
Mirrored their characters so appropriately!
As we progressed beyond into grammar school our relationship warmed
As she was no longer burdened by any conflict of interest,
And she became our second mother.
Always ready to give advice when we complained about Mum
Always there to give a hug,
The love now seemed unconditional.
There is a foto (please hand out copy or show it blown up)
of Becky and Essie in London shortly
after she arrived,
In Trafalgar square with the pigeons,
With her older sister she seemed happy and safe
And that lasted her whole life.
As the years progressed they became closer
and the distance between London and Jerusalem
only intensified their love.
When Becky came to visit they sat hand in hand on the couch,
Thanks to Tony who orchestrated these wonderful times together.
Rochelle and I would visit her in Nightingale
where she would tell us how tired she was,
Yet often, over Shabbat, she seemed to love the services there,
and knew everybody and their business.
She would have made a great gabbai.
Our last visit with her before she passed was so painful for us,
There was a deep sense of tragedy she inherited from the Sargon side,
And it was reflected in her beautiful eyes.
I am sure that the proximity of her leaving this world to Essie David and Ray
Meant that they would all never be alone,
They would storm heaven together.
May her memory be for a blessing
Sweet akeyka-bakey
Rivka bas Eliyahu Avraham.
