Wednesday, December 21, 2022
My Godmother. I called her Auntie Ellen. I'm writing some history here for those who may not know.
My Mom (Bette Charles) and Ellen met while working together in a Beauty Salon, which I think was in Roslindale, MA. They quickly became close friends. My Mom left and went to work for Sam Alba, who had just opened a Beauty Salon in Malden, MA. When Sam left to fight in WWII, he left my Mom in charge of the shop. My Mom called her friend, Ellen, to come to work at the shop in Malden. Together they built the business and it was thriving when Sam returned.
Ellen was Maid-of-Honor at my parents' wedding. Sam and Ellen where my Godparents. When I was small we lived in Medford, MA and we saw Sam and Ellen very often. Later, we moved to Dedham, MA and we saw Sam and Ellen at least once or twice a year.
I remember their house on the ocean in Nahant, MA very well. Ellen loved to swim in the ocean.
When Sam and Ellen moved to Florida, we kept in touch but only visited a couple of times.
My love and sympathy to the Alba and Reis families,
Arthur Depoian
