The Mail Must Go Through, Part 3

I just finished having a long, really lovely conversation with Sylvia DeBoever, niece of Sarah Lawrence (known as Aunt Settie), of FDR memorial stamp letter fame.  Sarah lived at 121 Leonard Street, not 123, which was her husband’s house, Leonard Lawrence, also known as Richard L. Sears who died in the 1970’s.  Sarah then moved from Leonard Street to Heart Street in Gloucester to take care of her aging mother.  Sylvia said she spent a lot of her time at the Senior Center, bringing arts and crafts for the seniors to do, and was much loved by everyone who knew her.  She died at the age of 98 on August 22, 2001.  She was an avid stamp collector, as was FDR, who was considered the greatest stamp collector that ever lived.  Sylvia’s husband Tom, also an avid collector, owns some of FDR’s personal stamp collection.  Sylvia grew up in Gloucester, but moved away to Michigan 51 years ago, after she and Tom married.  She loved to visit Aunt Setti in Annisquam, then walk to the lighthouse to rendezvous with her then boyfriend, Tom who was in the coast guard.  She would then walk home to Heart Street.  Aunt Setti instilled in her a love of stamp collecting, which Tom also shared.  After talking with her, I am so thrilled that she will be reconnected with something that was her aunt’s and meant so much to her. 

Sylvia found out about the stamps by reading the Gloucester Times, which she does every day on line, to stay connected with her beloved Gloucester.  I have sent her the link to Good Morning Gloucester, so she can subscribe, and now stay connected in the GMG family way. 

E.J. Lefavour