Sabina Rose O'Donnell was murdered, in Northern Liberties in the very early hours of Wednesday morning. She was only 21. According to news reports, she had a happy evening, of work, bar-hopping and visiting a friend, before heading home at Midnight.
I remember her as a beautiful little girl, not a perfect age match to my kids (now 19 and 23) but close enough in age and geography (she lived on 44th Street) so that Birthdays, visits to Clark Park and swimming at the UC Swim Club could be shared activities. I don't know how best to break the news to my kids. Sabina left West Philly when her parents moved away, and so there is some distance, but finding an explanation for this brutal slaying seems almost impossible. When I first saw the news, it said she had just come from California so I was hoping it was not our beautiful, much loved neighborhood kid. I contacted a friend who might still know her parents, for reassurance, but the response was, "Yes, Liz, it is. ... Sabina was a dear girl ..., and much loved. I don't know how to help, myself. I mean what can anyone really do? I have, of course, reached out to <her family>." I post this as others may know or remember Sabina and/ or her family. I would welcome a private reminder of happy memories. I hope many will pray for the repose of her soul and that her family will be blessed with the grace and strength needed to survive this horror. I also hope that we reach out to the neighborhood children, now young adults, who knew Sabina, and let them know that they are loved. It is not fair that Sabina could not travel 4 blocks, safely, but is is fact. We need our children to live caution and sense. Joy and caution are not mutually exclusive. Separate notes: I attended a Memorial Mass for Anita Brothers this week. Anita lived to be 84, attended daily Mass at St. Francis de Sales, including on the day she died. She died peacefully in her sleep. In the receiving line, before the Mass, Mr. Brothers mentioned that he and Mrs. Brothers considered my mother "saintly" and had said a prayer for my mother every day, since her death in 1981. As "good Catholics" they may have placed some special recognition on the fact that my mother had 12 children and remained a faithful wife and stalwart mother until death took her. I was and remain deeply touched by his comment and evidence of their devotion. Now that I am well over 50, memorial services are becoming sadly more frequent. It feels good to say a proper "goodbye" and interesting to read the Funeral Brochures and obituaries to learn what is considered newsworthy and often not known about someone who was a long time good neighbor. Some good News: Sr. Francis Joseph, R.A., from the convent at 1001 S. 47th St, survived a recent, experimental heart surgery and is home. Anyone who knows our 90+ year old "PEACE PILGRIM" can easily imagine the persistence and energy Sister Francis applied to convince the Doctors to accept a nonagenarian into the program. She is home in time for today's feast to honor the June 3rd anniversary of the Canonization of the founder of her order, Saint Marie Eugenie, RA. She taught Grace Kelly, at Raven Hill. She led missions in France, India the Philippines, South America and here in the USA. She continues to lead and inspire by volunteering at St. Francis de Sales. She promotes opportunities to learn and act through a lecture series at her convent. I hope all who read this note take some action to send kindness, compassion, courage and forgiveness forward, today and every day. All the best! Liz Elizabeth Campion PRUDENTIAL, FOX & ROACH REALTORS, LLC 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, Suite 406 Phila, PA 19103 215-790-5653 Desk & Voicemail 215-880-2930 Cell & Emergency 215-546-9781 Shared office Fax campio...@juno.com or home.in.ph...@juno.com for Rental questions Link to Photos of available Listings and public, 'social' photos: www.PicasaWeb.google.com/CampionEF To check out all PFR and Multiple Listed Properties and to review CONSUMER NOTICE, link to www.PruFoxRoach.com Your referral is a welcome compliment. All the best in 2010 and beyond! ____________________________________________________________ Car Insurance for $1/Day? New Laws Now Offers Car Insurance For As Low as $1/Day in Your Area! http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/4c07f096e66a625ac15st02vuc
