A Tribute to Claire Pappas

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Remembering Granny

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Strange Interlude: 81 Years Later

In 1928, Eugene O'Neill's new play, "Strange Interlude," opened at the John Golden Theater in New York City. Claire Pappas, age 21, was there to see it. More than 80 years later, her grandson Jonathan and great-grandson James (age 21) saw the rarely produced play at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. Like their Granny so many years before, James and Jonathan enjoyed a nine-act marathon (with a dinner break halfway through). They were graced with the company of Gabbi Greenfield, mother of the lead actress in this memorable 2009 production by Chicago's Neo-Futurists. Pictured here: James Obremski, the ever-present Gordon Shaw, Nina Leeds (the gifted actress Merrie Greenfield) with her mother Gabbi, and Jonathan Shailor with Eugene O'Neill.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dancing Girl

Claire Pappas (date unknown).

Family Resemblance

Above: 20-something Katie Shucavage (Claire Pappas' great granddaughter) (center, in blue).

Below: 20-something Claire Pappas.

Friday, January 9, 2009

NEW YORK, N.Y. JUN 27 1PM 1960

Master Jonathan Shailor

3337 Eastlake Av.

Massapequa Park

L.I., N.Y.

Dear Jonathan: All of a sudden the thunder and lightning came, and these little kitties were on their way to school, (with their school bags) and one kitties hat flew off! See how frightened the three little ones in the trunk of the car are, their mama was driving the car (see her looking out of the back window) and she said, "Don't be afraid, you won't be hurt" And the flower pots flew off the window sill, and the umbrella flew inside out! But in a little while it all stopped, and the sun came out again, and the kittens got to school all safe and sound. Love, Granny XXXXXXX

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Granny and Shakespeare

So many memories, each one a little gem. This one is precious to me, because when I remember it, I can still hear Granny's voice.

In the summer of 2003, I took Granny down to visit Richard and his family in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. It was the summer that I was playing the role of Prospero in Christopher's production of "The Tempest." As we rode down the highway, I practiced one of Prospero's speeches ("we are such stuff as dreams are made on..."). Granny listened patiently as I ran through the speech several times.

A little later on, we were sitting on Rich's deck, and Granny wistfully recalled one of several bits of Shakespeare that she had memorized in grade school. She spoke the lines with feeling, remembering them perfectly:

In sooth, I know not why I am so sad:

It wearies me; you say it wearies you;

But how I caught it, found it, or came by it,

What stuff 'tis made of, whereof it is born,

I am to learn;

And such a want-wit sadness makes of me,

That I have much ado to know myself.

(The Merchant of Venice, I.i.1-7)

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

On one of Granny's last visits to our house, all of our animals crowded around to say hello and get some attention.

Meeka tolerates everything. Even when Granny spontaneously

grabs her paws and makes her do a strange puppet-kitty dance.

Jazz rarely deems visitors worthy of her presence,
but Granny was clearly an exception.

Biscuit loves attention. Any attention. Anyone is welcome to pet her.

At any time. Granny included.

I love and miss you Granny.
Alex

Claire Pappas (1907-2007)

Claire Pappas died peacefully in the early hours of November 1, 2007, surrounded by her loving family. She was 100 years old. At the time of her passing, the beloved matriarch known as “Granny” was survived by a son-in-law (William Leroy Shailor), 7 grandchildren (Thomas Shailor, Sandra Shucavage, Erica Robinson, Jonathan Shailor, Kimberly Obremski, Christopher Shailor, and Richard Shailor), 9 great-grandchildren (Robert and Joseph Shailor, Michael and James Obremski, Samantha and Katie Shucavage, Alexandra and Rebecca Shailor, and Ashley Shailor), one sister (Regina Ballone) and one sister in-law (Bernice Urtnowski).

Claire Pappas was born on January 12, 1907 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Polish immigrants Bronislaw Stanislaw Urtnowski and Stephania Dombrowski. In her early years at P.S. 3 in Greenpoint and at Washington Irving High School in New York City, Claire developed a love for art and literature that would remain with her throughout her life. Claire survived a brief marriage at the age of 16, and gave birth to her first daughter, Joyce in 1924. In the rough-and-tumble of early 20th century New York, Claire thrived as an office worker, and as an occasional dancer and model (in 1925, she modeled for a statue of the Madonna). During this time, she cultivated a quick wit, a strong sense of grace and beauty, and flawless accounting skills. On December 7, 1930, she married George Pappas, a son of Greek and Irish immigrants. Claire gave birth to their daughter Patricia in 1931.

Through the following years, George’s work as a national and international classified advertising consultant would carry the small family to Syracuse in upstate New York, and also to Chicago, Oklahoma City, Omaha, and St. Louis. They would always return to New York City, where Claire picked up office work, eventually landing a position as office manager for the Great Lakes Carbon Company (owned by the Skakel family, linked by marriage to the Kennedys). Claire also enjoyed the bright lights of the big city, and encouraged her daughters’ experiments in modeling and performance. Both daughters married and had children. Sadly, Joyce died while still a young woman due to complications from diabetes. Claire would become a second mother to Joyce’s children, especially Erica, who was severely developmentally disabled, and who had to be institutionalized at an early age. Claire took full responsibility for Erica’s care. In the 1960’s and 70’s, Claire and her husband divided their time between visits with their grandchildren, and travel—to the British Isles, Spain, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Singapore, India, and elsewhere. During those years it seemed that Claire and George spent at least half their time on the NYC subway, taking excursions in their VW Beetle, or flying to another exotic destination.

In 1980, Claire and George moved to Beverly, Massachusetts, to be closer to their daughter Patricia and their grandchildren. Claire also saw to it that Erica was transferred from her facility in New York to a facility near her new home on the North Shore.

The following decades were happy years filled with the joys and sorrows of family life. Claire mourned the loss of her husband George in 1992, her daughter Patricia in 2001, and her beloved son-in-law Peter in 2003. Through these years she was always surrounded by at least a dozen loving relatives, all living close by, visiting often, and sharing with Claire her great loves: family, art, good books, good food, theatre, music, stylish clothes and jewelry, games and adventures…

Claire’s great spirit lives on and continues to warm and inspire her descendants.

Those who wish to honor the memory of Claire Pappas may make a donation in her name to

Hogan Regional Center, 450 Maple Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

In Memorium

You do look, my son, in a moved sort, as if you were dismayed.
Be cheerful, sir, our revels now are ended.
These our actors were all spirits—
And are melted into air, into thin air.
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-capped towers,
The gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples,
The great globe itself—yeah, all which it inherit,
Shall dissolve…
And like this insubstantial pageant faded
Leave not a rack behind.
We are such stuff as dreams are made on,
And our little life is rounded with a sleep.

William Shakespeare, The Tempest