James Niedrist 4/26/1930-10/8/2022
My Uncle Jim died today. I am sad as I write this, but he was clearly ready to leave this plane and rejoin his beloved Norma on the Other Side. He was always my favorite uncle and my Mom’s younger brother. I was the first of twelve grandchildren. My Mom and I lived with my grandparents while my Dad was overseas in World War II. Jim was still a teenager living at home when I arrived on the scene. Perhaps that is why we bonded so closely.
Jim was truly a good person. I don’t think I ever heard him use a bad word or denigrate anyone. He always enjoyed life to the fullest. There were three things in life he loved and was proud of—his wonderful wife, Norma, his five sons, and the United States Marine Corps. At age 16 or 17 he and a buddy lied about their ages and enlisted in the Corps. When that good friend died several years ago, Jim was an honorary pallbearer at his funeral in his Marine uniform. Jim and Norma were never rich in material things, but their house was full of love and a lot of family fun. They raised five boys in a modest home. Jim was so proud of his sons and their accomplishments. Of course, watching a Penn State game with the boys was always a good time too!
He also loved music, especially Neil Diamond and the musical score from the Phantom of the Opera! When my husband and I lived in Buffalo, New York, Uncle Jim, Aunt Norma, and my Mom all came for a visit. We all went to Toronto for the weekend and got tickets to the Phantom at a wonderful theater in Toronto built just for the Phantom. I still remember driving back to our hotel from the theater with Uncle Jim in the back seat, singing various songs from the Phantom at the top of his lungs.
He and Aunt Norma also visited us several times here in Colorado. Inevitably, after dinner Uncle Jim and I would end up dancing around the dining room and singing some song or other as loudly as we could. He usually tied his cloth napkin around his head as well for added effect. To be truthful, I must admit that copious amounts of wine were probably also involved in these concerts!
Sadly, Aunt Norma came down with Alzheimer’s Disease, that insidious disease that robs you of your mental capacity and memory. Uncle Jim took such wonderful care of her through those difficult times. He would always say, “She took care of me and five boys for years; I’m taking care her until the Lord takes her Home.” Even in those days, he held on to his sense of humor. One day she asked him where her husband was. He replied that he was right there. She said, “No, my other husband.” Without missing a beat, he said, “Oh, that husband had to go to work today!” That satisfied her. After Norma’s death, he carried on, but clearly life was not the same for him without her by his side.
In Jewish and some Christian traditions, Archangel Azrael is the Angel who helps us cross over to the Other Side and comforts those left behind. I suspect Azrael led Uncle Jim right up to those pearly gates and called out to Saint Peter, “Yo, Pete, Jim’s here! Put on a Neil Diamond CD and turn up the volume. There will be dancing in the streets tonight!”
Goodbye, Uncle Jim. We will all miss you, but we know you are so happy to see your dear Norma again and all the others who have been there waiting to greet you. We will always love you.
Semper Fi!
