Don Brabson
On this occasion we have lost a dear friend, a mother, an aunt, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and more. I knew her as Aunt Phil, because she was the sister of my mother, Anna May Brabson.
I remember Aunt Phil as fun-loving and outgoing. She had a great laugh, and made others laugh as well. She enjoyed music and liked to share her memories of dancing as a teenager at American Bandstand in Philadelphia.
She grew up in a family of three sisters and one brother. The sisters especially, had a close relationship. Our families would often visit together to celebrate holidays or just to enjoy picnics in the summer.
I recall the picnics we used to have in our backyard. Everyone would gather together for good food, good drink, and good company. These sisters, and their spouses and friends, would have such a great time together and as the drink flowed they could get pretty raucous and loud. I can still remember Aunt Phil’s laughter as she told my dad that he was full of horseshit. And he was at times. But it was all in good fun, with a deep sense of kinship and family.
Thinking back, I realize that ours was not the typical adult-child relationship. She treated me more like a friend, or a brother. And when she would ask how I was doing, she really meant it, and would listen closely to what I had to say. It was an invitation to a conversation, not just a reflexive greeting.
And later, after my mother had passed away, it meant a lot to me that she stood in for mom and attended my graduation from law school.
Aunt Phil always treated me with kindness and respect. She will be deeply missed.
- Don Brabson
