ELEANOR HOPE FUHS
Eleanor Hope Fuhs’ obituary is a long one, full of accomplishments, love for family and an ending that came only after a fight.
Known as Dr. Hope, “she was a literal genius, a mathematician, a teacher, a musician and an artist,” that obituary notes. “She was a trailblazer in education who selflessly steered her students, colleagues and her family with love, a sense of humor and a quiet fortitude.”
“She was determined not to let anything get in her way,” her daughter Denise related. “That’s just the way she was.”
Hope earned the title of doctor when she finished her degree at Widener University. Ironically, for someone with such a keen mind, a bad car accident just after that damaged her brain enough to bring on early onset dementia,” according to her family.
“It was incredibly hard to watch it slowly fail her.”
A math teacher in Medford, then Marlton – where she spent more than 30 years – Hope also spearheaded a program in the district that helped kids at risk.
“She had an affinity for struggling kids who just needed someone to listen,” Denise explained, “and let them know that (things) weren’t necessarily their fault.”
Her math class was a challenge, former student Christopher Leonard wrote in an online tribute to Dr. Hope.
“Man, was she tough, which made me a better student and fostered my love for math,” he recalled. “What a great teacher. I was lucky to have had her.”
Hope’s own education included a bachelor’s from then-Glassboro University, but only after she stopped for seven years to care for her two daughters. She went back and earned her master’s and doctorate while parenting full time.
“She was ahead of her time as a working mother,” her daughter Leanne DeBlieu noted in her mother’s obituary. “She modeled for me how to ‘do it all’: be a teacher, wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and scholar.”
Hope’s skills were not just academic. She knew carpentry, once fulfilling her husband’s request for a home bar by building it herself. She did needlework and basket weaving. And she played the piano; acoustic guitar; harp and bassoon, recounts her obituary.
At the end, Hope’s family made sure to tell her the impact she had on them. Denise was at her side when she passed.
“To see a genius like that,” Denise noted of Hope at the end, “to see that fade away was hard. She wouldn’t have wanted to go on like that. She fought really hard, but then decided it was time to go.”
“She went the way she lived her life,” concludes Hope’s obituary – on her terms.”
Hope was 83.
Sources: Godfrey Funeral Homes, Legacy.com
GERMANO CAGGIA
Germano Caggia gave and gave – and gave again for most of his life. Not even brain surgery could set him back; after a six-hour procedure, his first conscious thought was to get back to his charitable work.
Illness only made Germano more determined to do just that, according to his obituary.
The Sicilian immigrant made a career in construction that put his stamp on Atlantic City casinos and other buildings. His hands did not stop when work did: For decades, he quietly helped people in need, earning the nickname Robin Hood.
But Germano didn’t have to rob the rich to help the poor. His own resources went to farm workers; the homeless who laid their heads behind stores; seniors; battered women; and veterans, among others, much of it in conjunction with churches.
All you had to be was hungry, cold, lonely or in need to get Germano’s attention.
“He believed every person deserved dignity, compassion and a helping hand,” his obituary notes.
Germano packed food, vegetables, clothing and even pizza boxes, then helped deliver them. After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, he worked even harder to provide donations to pantries and shelters.
Germano kept on giving until he couldn’t, when age slowed him down a few years ago, his obituary states. He wanted mourners to remember him by making sure usable food helps the poor and doesn’t go to waste.
It’s what he would do.
Germano was 85.
Sources: Rone Funeral Service, Legacy.com
Inside the obits
Keeping the faith
The obituaries can be a testament to how faith and church illuminate a person’s life. Here are four of them.
Theresa F. Pawlowski brought her vocal talents to the St. Lucia Choir at St. Joseph’s Polish Catholic Church in Camden – where she was born – and stayed for 70 years, according to her obituary. Theresa sang weddings, funerals and banquets – and naturally performed for family. She joined the Holy Eucharist Church Choir when she moved to Cherry Hill, where she worked in the school district. Theresa was 87.
Walter Milton came from a family of nine and used his GI Bill benefits to study chemistry, his obituary notes. He learned to tinker with electronics while he was in the Navy and dabbled in radios and computers. His true calling was at Parkside United Methodist Church in Camden, where he had several roles, including trustee, treasurer and men’s chorus member. Walter was 82.
Deitrich (Dee) Paulette Faison was an educator and long-time dancer who used her hobby to teach math, her obituary says. She was a 30-year-veteran of the Philadelphia school system, where she taught physical education and health and coached volleyball and badminton. She and her mother took their talents to Tenth Street Baptist Church in Camden – where Deitrich was born – and she was a member of its Adult/Angelic choir. Deitrich was 81.
The Rev. George Washington Eisenhart II had 11 children, so you could say he already had a flock as he served God. The Marine and his wife Doris began Sewell Assembly Church – later Lambs Road Assembly – after Pastor George left full-time work to devote most of his time to ministering, his obituary states. He continued that into his 80s, often working with veterans. The reverend was 91.
Sources: Bocco Funeral Home, May Funeral Homes, House of Wright Mortuary and Cremation Services, Smith Funeral Home, Legacy.com
The Good Life appears twice a month. To suggest someone who recently passed away for a tribute, email Christina Mitchell at cmitchell@donnelly.media. Please describe in a few words something about the person’s life.
