[*NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE SARKISSIAN, Rachel*] 1169 Dolores S.F., 10 Calif. My beloved friend I know you have a very heavy mail. I should not burden you more by expecting to hear from you, but when I do not hear for a long time I feel very anxious fearing maybe you are ill. May I hope to have just a few lines telling me you are all right. Your devoted friend, Rachel Don't every think you've slipped my mind, That simply wouldn't do, for you're someone I can't forget -- I think too much of you. Rachel Sarkensian Hallmark 10F2-5 To Someone I Couldn't Forget 536 E Moreland Phoenix, Arizona My Dearest Friend, Although I have thought many a time of answering your letter, I did not realize how long a time has elasped since I received your letter written after your illness, I was so glad to hear you had recuperated and that for the first time you were going out . Even tho it was to the dentist, because it shows you still posses teeth which need a dentist. Since about a year and a half, I have not been in need of one , although I may sometimes have to go for my adopted ones. I do not know when I ever had such faith! But somehow even after your illness and the news that the sight has been much impaired, I have not given up hope. Anyway in spite of everything I shall still keep hoping. Yes, I still deserve the name of "Pine Knot" and strange as it seems no broken bones. I am still in Arizona where I expect to be until the 25th of this month. We intend to leave early Sunday morning but we shall not be in San Francisco before the 3d or 5th of July. I shall drop you cards on the way. Now that I believe I am forgiven for this long delay in answering the first letter, I feel like answering your second letter referring to the Cactus Candy. I was so glad that you were able to enjoy Arizona dates, I looked around for some other Arizona product and learned about this candy. and altho' when sister wrote to me "It must be quite warm in Phoenix now" which sentence I purposely forgot to answer - I believe now that the present heat must have given me "softening of the brain" - and causing the candy mush than I sent it to my pal Dr. Mary Mouradian of New Britain, Conn. This winter I looked at every book store in the City they did not have one. I am sure I shall do better in San Francisco. Lucy Stone - how I admire her! Alice Stone Blackwell how I admire and love her! I hope your reader will forgive me for my bad writing. I shall write again and tell you what I was doing here. Most respectfully and affectionately yours - Rachel Sarkissian to travel around like that when I look hot and quite damp. My friends laugh and say "you aint seen nothin" yet. Yes, I am "well and happy". Much happier than I was in San Francisco excepting some years. This may surprise you. But with my mental and physical abilities (I mean what amount I had, nothing extra) still intact, can not stand much idleness. Yes of course I keep myself busy, but.. Of course there have been some years when I worked myself (some people would say) to death and was happy. But why talk about it. I have been so busy here that I have not had time to be unhappy. Sister seems to be doing well without me and I am more a help to her from a distance. However she has begun to count the days for my return - she writes to me twice a week and she seems to be always on the go, church - church - church. Tis will answer you - a few times she did not go to Christian Endeavor and one day she says "You brought me to your level" . I answered - "I like my level, I hope you will hold on to it" all laughingly of course. What nonsense to write. I left this morning early, parked under some trees - changed place several times - but the sun peaked through trees and the heat caught up with me as I came to the post office where it is a little cooler. I am writing this sitting on the steps - I was determined I would not return before writing this letter. I thank you so much for the enclosed cutting. I am only hoping that the play will not come to San Francisco before I return there. I brough the book and enjoyed it very He is greatly interested in that Hospital having done a great deal for it. A year ago they decided to come to this Country. They had to be in 30 year quotas, as any nationality born in Turkey had to be in Turkish quota. He filed application to teach in a medical school in this country and was invited to come. On the strength of being needed at a medical school here, He, his wife and their three lovely children were privileged to come without quota. As soon as I hear from him I'll send your check to him, and I will report to you. I do not wish to ask about it, but one sentence in your letter is always in my mind. "I have been upset and under much pressure." I have always been happy reading in your letters that your health was fine. I do hope it is still fine. I am so glad the heading of your letter does not have that "Miss" between Dear and Rachel I hope this long letter will not tire you, and that the person reading it will not find it too difficult to read it. Always your affectionate and devoted friend Rachel BIRTHDAY GREETING by WESTERN UNION BAE107 9 SC=SANFRANCISCO CALIF MISS ALICE STONE BLACKWELL= 1010 MASS AVE CA= AFFECTIONATE GREETINGS ON YOUR BIRTHDAY FROM YOUR DEVOTED FRIENDS= HOSANNA AND RACHAEL SARKISSIAN. (COPY) (Letter from Alice Stone Blackwell to Rachel H. Sarkissian of San Francisco, Calif. who offered to give Miss Blackwell one of her eyes) My dear Miss Rachel: I do not know how to thank you for your wonderful kindness! in offering to give me one of your eyes. Some years ago, A Russian girl offered me one of hers. I could not accept it. She was young and it would have been wicked to deprive her of one of her eyes. Afterwards the distinguished oculist who takes care of my eyes told me that the trouble with myeyes is of a kind which could not be helped by the gift of another person's eye. Your wonderfully generous offer cannot do good to my eye, but it has done good to my heart. I shall never forget it and shall never cease to be grateful to you for it. I have used up my supply of copies of my mother's biography, but some more are going to be sent to me. When I get them, I shall be glad to send you two. Please remember me to Miss Hosanna. I am glad she is doing so well. We are having a snowstorm here today but you have made my heart very warm. Your grateful friend, Alice Stone Blackwell # 1169 Dolores Street San Francisco, California. March 26th, 1923. Miss Alice Stone Blackwell, # 3 Monadnock Street Dorchester, Mass. Dear Friend:-- Your beautiful cards reached us this evening. I was as happy as I was ashamed. Happy for possessing such a Friend, who regardless of the neglect on our part, still remembers us in such a lovely way. We would not change the sentence on the back of your "With the best Easter Wishes for the Resurrection of Armenia" for anything. It is so beautiful to possess a Friend, who not being an Armenian herself, can so feel as one. I have wished to write ever since we came to San Francisco, but in addition to my usual negligence, I have had a few other reasons, one is the I hurt my right arm so that I could not write letters, second that Sister had again ulcers in her eye, and was in bed for weeks, and again in this new atmosphere I had to make acquaintances, and secure a position to my liking, "And you know what it means when you are not really a NATIVE DAUGHTER of California," But I am not giving this as an excuse, because when I am guilty I like to admit it. After we left you, we spent a week with our Cousins at Jersey City, two weeks in Troy with my nieces, and two days before we were ready to leave, Sister's eyes gave out, and she P.S. Please accept our thanks also for remembering us at Xmas, and with such well chosen words on your cards. [*same*] -2- was in bed for five weeks, then we returned to New Haven, she staid in the Hospital five weeks and I busied myself working in a Children's Hospital, as soon as she was able to leave the Hospital we again left New Haven, on our way to Sask. Canada we stopped at Niagara Falls. After visiting my Brother for three weeks at Sask. we came by the way of Vancouver, (passing through the Rockies) to Seattle, spend another week there, and on the 21st of September arrived in San Francisco. My niece, Mrs. Caldow was at Ross, a beautiful summer place across the Bay. Everything was so that we both had a complete rest. At the end of October we made our new home, that is Sister, my Nephew and myself. We were fortunate to find a very nice rent, the house is so situated, that I am sure that we see almost one third of the town from our Easter windows. I do hope that you will take a notion to come to San Francisco sometime, and be our guest, we would all be so glad. Now in regard to my work, I have taken a position with the Travelers Aid. In San Francisco this work means much more than in many another City in the United States. There is such a co-operation between the Immigration, Railroad officials, and the Travelers Aid, which makes the work very effective. Mrs. Gomez, who is the Executive Secretary, is one of the finest women I have met. She has a good head, and equally good heart, and enough nerve to push every good thing through. It is a pleasure to work with someone like her. At the time I went with her, she was in need of another Supervisor, and after a month with them, I was given that position. Of course the State and the City being altogether new to me (as well as Travelers Aid work) I have -3- to crowd so much information into my head in a short time, and I am trying very hard to do so, this takes time. Mrs. Gomez is a woman who appreciates worth, and is glad to give one her place. We are fourteen of us in the office, two in Oakland, one at Railroad Station, and the rest of us at the Ferry Building responsible for all the boats and trains that come in. This association has done wonderful work for San Francisco, one of the Workers does what is called Follow Up Work, anyone who passes through the Ferry, and whom we have helped is visited until the Worker is satisfied that they are situated as they should. A friend of mine has volunteered to write a few letters for me this evening, and yours is the first one. I often think of the visit I had with you, and feel happy that I had the chance to meet you once more. Next time we meet I am gong to have you do all the talking, have regretted since that I didn't do so the last time. We are both well at present, and send you our best love and greetings for a Peaceful Easter. I am really hoping that something will bring you to San Francisco. Please remember us to your Aunt, and also to Mrs. Baharian. With best wishes, Every your sincere friend, Rachel H. Sarkissian June - 7 - '27 1169 [Dolver?] St. S. F. Calif. My dear Friend. I am sure you do not know what it really means to have you for my friend. There is so much delight in it, and do you know how much pride! It being so, my guilt of negligence has been such a heavy weight on my shoulders, yet I did not write, when there is nothing good to write I keep it all to myself. Did I write to you how much I enjoyed that little piece you wrote in regard to the trouble in China, when one American was killed? I read it in some Armenian paper. That is why I am so proud of you. (Feeling - sense of justice and courage.) If there were more Americans like yourself and Dr. Orville A. Petty of New Haven, there would be no need for so much talk in regard to "Americanization" "assimilation" etc. etc. People could not help but wish to be Americanized, yes, even assimilated. But the proportion in comparison to such fair and brave persons! Can you tell me why I should be so far away from the people whom I love most? I yearn for my friends in the east. They are few - but as precious. I am hoping the arm is altogether better by now. How is your cousin? I hope she has had nothing more added to her already heavy afflictions, [consequently?] to yours. As for us, perhaps you knew - sister had arthritis of the knee for nine months. June 1, 1926. She is better now. It is not all gone, but much improved. It meant Hospital, hot spring, electric treatments and what not. In February I had poison oak, and instead of having it like everybody else, I had it enter my circulation & have it last for [?] weeks. Now I am in my usual good health again. Sister is have a dose of "Flu" for a change. She is getting better - This is her second week - she is her own nurse and her own patient. When are you coming over for a visit? I mean it. Of course I do. You can go to visit your friends but your stopping place shall be with your friends Hosanna and Rachel. Would not we be happy to have you! I suppose there must be bigger attractions to tempt you to come. now. I am really hoping that you will kill the fatted calf for your "prodigal". That of course will be in the form of a few lines in answer. This is nerve is'nt it. I have to possess something, so I suppose it is nerve. I wrote you nothing about my work. That is a chapter in itself. I do not want to write anything about it in this letter. Why spoil it all touching an unpleasant subject. Someday I shall write you about it. Wishing you all that is best in which sister joins me Ever your affectionate friend Rachel Sarkissian My dearest Friend. How can I thank you for your dear letter. I read it and reread it. I studied it. It is so full of thought, consideration courage. How can I thank you for the beautiful book. I read the three poems which you marked, first. Because you say the "Hymn to the Tree" is "like a description of me" I must try to live up to it. You have such faith in me. Do you know, I think "The Song by the Way" is like Hosanna. "My Song goes with me all the way." After I go through the book I can tell you which one is you. But even then perhaps I can not. I have placed you all by yourself from the time I met you. How happy you must be with all kinds of worthwhile work well done. I am ever so happy to have known you. Please list me for a customer for the new book. I would love to buy one as soon as it is available. What a satisfaction it must be to be able to do such service to one's beloved parents, departed! I am not referring to your suggestion in regard to myself. I am still considering them. From time to time I shall drop a line and let you know what has happened to this insignificant little self of mine. To bring you up to date on the subject, I have worked six days since I wrote to you last. This much of this letter was written six weeks ago, even tho not dated. This is the first day I feel like writing and so I picked it up. I have been in the hospital since Nov. 7th. Even tho' no one could telll by the way I walked at all times I suffered with poor feet. I have suffered with every step since my training days in the hospital years ago. Deformed big toe joints which were effecting the rest of the toes. I was operated on, on the 9th. As I said this is the first day I am able to write. I have learnt the shortest cut to insanity, and have ever so much more sympathy for the dope fiends. I know now how unnecessarily some of them begin it. If I only had the power of your pen, and could save only one single victim in each hospital in the country - I would have not suffered in vain. This of course is all Greek to you. But I cannot explain myself yet. I have my book of poems with me - and few others - I am beginning to read a little now. I could not do much reading before. The weather is wonderful, simply wonderful, every day this week it was sun shiny and warm - There are some bushes & trees that I see from my windows. I love to watch them - nothing so lovely as nature! Sister is keeping fairly well - she seems to have a "truce". In 1929 - she had - 1. her tonsils removed - 2. her septums - corrected - 3. her [anthrums?] operated on. 4 - in between she had herpes zoster - a very painful ailment. She also has to have a frontal sinus operation. She comes to see me quite often - so well looking & cheerful. Since I am in bed I have been thinking of her as those apples (I had read about in my childhood) which grew near the dead sea - nice and red & healthy looking but decayed inside and one touch destroys them. It is a mean comparison, is it not? But with her lovely spirit shining on her face and to anyone that sees her there is no outward discomfort - yet - her eyes - her frontal sinus and arthritis - like St. Paul's thorn in his flesh. To day is Sunday - she goes to Church - a Christian endeavor - and what not - she makes up for me also - My foot hurts & I feel tired - I have been writing lying on my back. so I must quit writing - Fare you well [?] the dearly loved and highly respected friend of this insignificant little heap called Rachel Sarkissian. Nov. 24-29. 536 E. Moreland Phoenix - Arizona Feb. 16 - 1939 My dear Friend Your good letter should have been answered sooner. I am so happy to know that your eye sigh has improved. It is so encouraging, no matter how slightly, at present, who knows perhaps, the good [worker?] of your countless friends, and your indomitable courage, added to the skill of your specialists may keep improving it much more. Somehow I believe it will. I am glad, too, that you health remains good, and as long as your health remains good I really do not care how fat you get. Selfish? no. I am five feet hardly 1 inch - and weigh hundred & forty pounds. no - I do not look quite like a barrel. and you are so much taller than myself. As for my being in Arizona I am glad to say it is not due to ill health in my small family. Our superintendent who trained us for nurses - wrote once "how is Hosanna's eyes and health, and how is Rachel the Pine knot of the little family." so the pine knot still seems to be the same physically, even tho to even up things she breaks a bone here and there - now and then. not even a bone broken at present. I am enclosing a programme of a concert which was being prepared when I left for a few weeks visit to friends in Arizona on their standing invitation. You will notice Hosanna is in the chorus - She sings in the choir in their little church. She has had several operations for sinus. Once in a while she goes to hot springs for her arthritis (when she can) Halts using her eyes for a few days when she has to. otherwise her life goes on. going to church. singing. helping in any way she can. selling tickets for church projects and now when I am away running the house the best she can. no - I have not divorced here. Just a temporary separation. In the programme there are more than one Poladian and Sarkissian. I have marked the Brother and Sister Poladian belonging to my family. They are the children of my sister whom I lost in [Warsaw?] in 1920. [Harontune?] has been here just one year and three months. I think this long letter is too long. If it is, tell me - I shall make it shorter next time. Do you enjoy having letters? if you do and if I hear you do, I shall write again when in Arizona. I was giving some thought as to what to send you. A pretty handkerchief. An unusual card etc. as in the past, would not do, when I came to Arizona I just found the thing which I thought would be all right and I am glad you enjoyed the dates. If I have a line from you I shall write again. Affectionately yours Rachel Sarkissian [*Sarkissian*] 1169 Dolores St San Francisco 10 California 2/20/46 My beloved friend I certainly had mixed up Thanksgiving and Xmas. I know that those cards come at Xmas and Easter. But somehow I was quite anxious about your health. (I had no reason to feel so.) and not having had a card, I felt more anxious. Hence that mixed up date letter. I am glad tho', that one was mailed to me then for I never received the one mailed for Xmas. I am so glad that your health is keeping up so well. I hope it will continue to be so for many more years. I thank you for the [record?] Bostonia, we were very, very happy to receive it. I have passed it around to several people to whom I had given "Lucy Stone". Sometimes I wish the world was not so big. I miss you so very much and I can not see you even for five minutes every 5th year. No, of course Boston is not so far, but I can not leave Sister. I miss everything dear to me in the East, and, as beautiful as some things are in the West, sometimes, I feel as a willing exile. What a letter. I generally do not write such things. I better get hold of myself. I just stopped writing, and read your last greeting card again. What a help it is! Day by day, year by year, you are still making the "world better." And how I love that "Beloved graduate student," the "Doctor of humanities." With all my love and sister's also Always your devoted friend Rachel [*To Moscow in Hosanna's birthday*] Miss Alice Stone Blackwell My dearest friend Your first letter in 1948 (Jan. 2nd) was written to me. In 1949 I wrote to you and inquired about your health - your answer written on Jan. 18, 1949 told me you were recuperating after a bad cold. I wished to know that you were well, because the news from here would have saddened you. I delayed for a long time but I am sure you would have liked to know. The enclosed "In Memory" explains. On November 2, 1948. What did she die of? did she suffer much? was she ill long? etc. All these should be answered. There is so much to tell, not only her going and my loneliness for her - my missing her - but remembrances of some things will always remain with me and keep me from having real peace. If only there was not so much space between us and I could visit you for fifteen minutes. What a comfort it would be, my other best friend is Miss Margaret Leal of N. Y. School of social work, my teacher - She too is there, one in Mass. The other in N. Y. Right after the services I went to the Valley with Rev. [Rejibean?] family & [Yettemia Tergrau?] family of Alameda. Both wives are my [nieces?] - Between the two homes, I returned home (Home?) after three weeks. The next day I received by mail a package of the enclosed. A friend who has a monthly paper had printed part of her [?] talk in his paper in Nov. and had made "In Memory" for me. When I thanked him he said I wished to have your four lines but I did not wish to disturb you right after the [?] then you had gone. Would you give it to me? I did. Just before 1949 I received the second package - "Farewell to my sister." If only I could write! Do you know what I would do? I would write a poem - "To my sister on Mother's day" Do you wonder that I offered one of my eyes so that you could see. All that you, your writing and all that you did and still do has meant and still does mean to the world, to humanity! If only you could have been been benefited by my offer how happy I would have been after the services - people contributed to a fund for child education a cause so dear to Hosanna's heart. I know she would be happy. The $178.00 was sent to Rev. P. H. Kalfayan. This fund will see a 15 year old girl now in 7th grade through high school in Beirut Lebanon. He wrote, "if you have better suggestion I'll be too good to do." I answered how this girl Berjoohi Hanepran is Hosanna's girl and I love her. (I have the picture) I started a second fund by writing to several people. He (School-mate-from Stanford] Am. College - now in N. Y. A former classmate (from C.T.S. New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn.) - a Pal Dr. Mary Monradian in New Britain Conn. A cousin in New Jersey - (They all called it a privilege - so it was spread) (a yes) a grandmother - her former pupil - now in L. A. Calif. When Rev. Kartozian visits me I give him what has come to me - He asks, shall I sent it to Rev. Kalforyan No, I say, there will be more. Now it came up to $172.00. There are several people around here who will bring it up to $200. Then with this fund I think of educating a boy. Hosanna and I did this for Father when father went - we wrote to our notice Lea - in Dr. [?] [?] wife - (The only member of our family left in ....) to find a boy whom we would educate - (we were both working then in New Haven) hoping he would be a useful man to humanity like father. She did find a boy - I still have his picture. She clothed him, took care of him just like her own - We sent for his schooling - Nov. 1913 to 1919. In 1920 both of them went in that .... This is an awful letter. I am sorry for the person who will read this. I am sorry for the who who hears it. I have'nt written a long letter for so long, half of this one was better not to have written. I have an avalanche of mail, some days I write several short notes. Sometimes I just look at them. Every member of my family brought cheer with their presence wherever they went, at present I can not do it. So I keep to myself mostly. I have a few good friends with whom I am in touch. You know one of them. Galotaur family. Ever since we met them we have been dear friends - Mr. Galotaur's departure was another personal loss to me. We were pals. We received your Easter greeting on the same day. With all my love to you friendly greetings to the person will will read this Your friend Rachel [*Sarkissian*] Oct. 8, 1949 Miss Alice Stone Blackwell - Dear beloved friend - I could not believe my eyes for a second. I don't know how to thank you for it. You said, "for any project to which Hosanna would approve" The next day I wrote a letter to Dr. Berberious of Londonville, N. Y. my niece's husband, who came from Beirut, Lebanon last year. This is what I wrote to him - "When we were visiting [nurse's?] years ago, I was doing infant welfare work & Hosanna T.B. work, one day at noon Hosanna came home for her lunch a few minutes after I arrived. Her eyes looked very bad. When I looked into her eyes I saw three ulcers. You must not work this P.M. I'll call the office & tell them you can not go" I told her. She answered "Rachel, I must go!" I said "What is so much more urgent than your eye condition just now." she explained - "That beautiful, lovely 17 year old girl whom ever you saw, must go to the san. where she will have a chance to recover. You know how the people are against anyone to san. her parents have been objecting and the girl has been refusing to go. On each visit to them I have been talking, explaining that she will recover completely if she goes before it is too late. Finally I've succeeded to convince them. Yesterday I notified the San. This P.M. they are coming to take her. If I am not there they will back out. I must go." What could I say? So she went. The young girl went and in a year she returned home recovered." When I worked & raised the fund for to children's high school, and two other children's one year public school education I was wondering how could I raise enough funds for one T.B. patient's hospitalization for one year. Then your check came. How can I find words to thank you for it? Dr. Berberian was teaching medical students in Am. College in Beirut - He studied there. In regard to my having offered to my beloved friend one of my eyes I'll only say that it was a great disappointment to me that my offer could not be utilized. How happy it would have made me, also my dear sister Hosanna. I may have three more letters one of which is quite important. I will try to locate and mail them to you during this week. There are a few more points to answer I will answer them in my next letter which will be written soon. Thanks for the receipt. I am very glad to know you Mrs. Stantial and I consider you a dear friend. It is a comfort to hear from you. Very sincerely yours Rachel H. Sarkissian Mrs. [Wardwood?] Park 21 Ashmont St. Melrose 76, Mass 1169 Dolores st. San Francisco, 10 California June 29/50 My dear Mrs. Park - I have read and re-read your message. From the day sister and I met Miss Blackwell there has been such a wonderful bond of friendship between us. Miss Blackwell called it "a friendship built on a rock." The small [chock?] does not show my devotion to my beloved friend. The news saddened me as it did all her friends around the world. Please me ten dollars for the memorial and will the other ten please send ten Lucy Stone books. I wish to place one in our main library. The others will be given to different persons. When that book first came out now and then I ordered several and gave them to some friends. Since we left New Haven Conn. years ago to conserve the remaining sight of my sister's eyes we have corresponded with Miss Blackwell. I have all her cards and letters, saving her last two months I had not heard from her. I wrote just a few lines - "please send me just a few lines if only to say you are well." I felt anxious. The person who wrote her letter wrote a few lines. "I read your note to Miss Blackwell she smiled and wished to answer it right away. She had me start it but she could not compose her thoughts. I have often heard her speak about you and your sister." This was written on the 13th of March. On the 15th I heard the sad news. I lost my sister some time ago - the last one of my immediate family. Miss Blackwell's parting doubles my grief. I am happy for them though. The enclosed dollar bill is for the postage. I too feel "it is a privilege to help make the last wishes of Alice Stone Blackwell come true." Sincerely yours Rachel H. Sarkissian At the Stonewall, Chilmark, Mass. August 10, 1950. Miss Rachel Sarkissian, 1169 Dolores St., San Francisco, Calif. Dear Miss Sarkissian: I owe you an abject apology in being so late in writing to you. Mrs. Park turned your letter over to me early in July, and then I left home for the summer with a huge box of correspondence about the Alice Stone Blackwell Fund. All I managed to do for the first month I was here was to take care of the checks and make out a report of the fund for the trustees. I had a great deal of detail to take care of after our dear Miss Alice passed away on March 15th, as as you know, she left her papers to me. It meant weeks of sorting and packing at her apartment and getting them to my house into safe keeping before I left for the summer. Indeed I knew about your offer of your eyes to Miss Blackwell and she was eternally grateful to you. I have been meaning to write to you to ask if you were willing I should send a note to the Armenian paper telling of your offer. Now I have your letter from Miss Blackwell, which is priceless. I hope some day you will give it to us to add to her papers in the Library of Congress. I have made a copy of it, but the original would mean more of course, and would be a memorial to you in the national archives as well as to her. Thank you so much for the generous check for the fund. I shall not enter it as a gift to the fund until you let me know further about the books. The actual cost of the edition we have now is $1.50 per copy. The original cost was $3.00 but five years ago our committee had an edition of 500 done for $1.50 each and we have sold them at cost. That would mean $15.00 for the books, and a five dollar gift to the fund. Is that all right? We are so glad to have the books distributed. Later we shall have a memorial edition printed for the libraries, but that will be limited unless we have a great demand for extra copies. I am writing a form letter which is to go out in the fall to all of the people on Miss Blackwell's "personal" list, asking her friends to send back to me for the collection in the Library of Congress the letters that she wrote to them over the years. We are particularly anxious to get a complete set of her Christmas and Easter messages. These were not dated but I am hoping some people dated the cards when they received them. Anything that you have that you are willing to send, we shall be glad to receive. Since you have no one left in your family I am hoping that you will want to give your letters for the Blackwell Memorial Collection. I have considered it a great privilege to turn all of mine over, realizing At the Stonewall Chilmark, Mass., August 10,1950 Dear Miss Babigian: I am away from home until about the 15th of September and when I returned I shall be glad to send you a copy of the Armenian Poems translated by Alice Stone Blackwell. I do not know what the volume costs, but I presume I have the information at home. There are probably fifty or sixty copies of the edition left and I am so glad to have them go to her Armenian friends. If you know of others who might want them, please let me know. I am sending you a souvenir folder with Miss Blackwell's picture on it and a sweet sonnet written by a dear friend some years ago. It was a great favorite of Miss Blackwell's and we knew this would be the simple kind of memorial she would like. Cordially yours, Trustee In Memory Of... Hosanna Sarkissian FAREWELL TO MY SISTER And now you're gone, dear sister of mine, Now the lonely years may pass on and on... 'Till this weary life comes to an end, May I be worthy to be where you went, God grant! Rachel ----- The late Miss Hosanna Sarkisian was born in Urfa, Turkey; she was the daughter of the late Rev. and Mrs. H. Sarkissian. She attended Church school and went to Aintab Seminary when she was ten. She was a bright and intelligent girl. After her graduation from the Seminary, she went to Harpoot to complete her Armenian studies. On her return she taught a number of years. Then she went to Stanbool where she graduated the Girl's college, and returning, taught in Urpca with Miss Shattek. The family moved to Cyprus where Rachel, her sister, had established a private school for the education of children of many nationalities, Greek, Turkish, Syrian, Arab, English as well as Armenian. Here Hosanna helped her sister, teaching. On their arrival in America, in New Haven, Conn., she took nursing and joined the Visiting Nurses Association, specializing in the care of T.B. patients. I met her in New Haven. She put her heart and soul in her work. She was a conscientious and tender-hearted nurse. She forgot her own comfort and served others. Unfortunately she began to loose her health and her eyesight. After going through many operations and much suffering, both sisters moved to California. Here, too, and ever active in the community, Hosanna proved to be a great woman in the Church and in other organizations. Her untiring efforts in Calvary Congregational Church of San Francisco will always be remembered by all. The following is characteristic of her. A few years ago when she was in the Hospital her eyes were very painful and she was suffering a great deal. Although it was all darkness, yet she must have felt at the dawn of the Easter Morning... She called Rachel to her side and said: "This is Easter morning. Let us thank God for all our blessings," then repeated the 23rd Psalm and followed with a prayer of thanksgiving...In the midst of suffering and pain, her faith was strong as ever. Hosanna was a happy, contented, thankful, brave, tenacious woman. She preferred to suffer by herself alone. She was ambitious, a woman of prayer, a woman of faith. Indeed her life and death was the life and death of the righteous. Rev. S. REJEBIAN --- (The above is a part of the comments of Rev. S. Rejebian of Yettem Arm. Presbyterian Church, spoken during the funeral service of Miss Hosanna Sarakissian. Rev. Rejebian is one of her relations and knew her for many years.) Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.