When I was very little – I remember going to your house to stay for “a while”as my siblings were born. I don’t know how much she loved having me, but I remember it fondly. She would always insist on me taking a nap. I was well past the age of taking a nap, or so I thought. But I do remember lying in that bed trying to be as quiet as possible. It was particularly difficult because my sister, Betty, was not helping at all. Auntie Testin came in numerous times and even lost her temper, I think. If that was possible. I also remember either my sister or, I on one occasion, wetting the bed – oh my gosh that was mortifying! I remember coming over to dinner and having the most wonderful cauliflower! It was covered in bread crumbs and absolutely to die for!

Most of all I remember my Godmother as a person of such great faith that even today at 55+ I think of her as a real role model. What a gift I had in my Godmother! She would take me to church on many Saturdays and we got to do something “special”. We would clean the church! We would dip candle holders into boiling water to melt off the wax and get them sparkling new for the next users. We would spend hours there straightening up and doing the work that was needed. We dusted pews, picked up papers, straighten missals and hymnals, and just generally spruced the place up. I felt so honored that I could actually touch something in such a holy place as a church. I looked up to her as though she were an angel right next to God. She was allowed to “touch” and let me help clean the stuff that that I was too young to even think about touching. Everything was “Holy” and I was right there with her. She made the building of the church very accessible to me, and I think that is a big part of who I am today. I love the smell of burning prayer candles! I was reminded of her as I knelt to pray in Medjugorje in fall in front of a thousand prayer candles.

I remember her singing so loudly and jubilantly as she buried her husband, Uncle Testin. I was already a grown woman at this point. I will never forget the power of her presence at that funeral. “That woman believes!” I remember thinking. How can someone be so faith filled? How can someone be so selfless? She was rejoicing at her spouse going to God.

I think that many of us fall prey to self pity at the loss of a loved one – and that is justified. But to rejoice in the passing of a loved one is a true sign of belief in Heaven! Mary Testin died at the same time as my father-in-law Lou Kihneman. I hope she introduces herself to him, Lou Kihneman, and to my daughter, Cherie Kihneman Jones, and to my mother-in-law, Bea Kihneman.

I could say so much more, but I will leave it at this. I just want you and your family to know what a true gift she was to me, and how happy I am that I have another “angel” in heaven to look after me.

Best wishes to all of you! Hilda Grill Kihneman

Auntie Testin was my godmother. I have many great memories of her and my uncle Testin. Since we only lived about two blocks apart we did a fair amount of visiting. We had great food and baking at their house. We would come over for a visit and out would come the TV tables and then all the food. More than anything I remember her tremendous faith. She would walk by our house and pick me up to go off to church. We would sometimes go to Benediction or to the Stations of the Cross together. I was always very proud to be with her.

As I grew up we kind of lost touch but every time I did see her she was just so happy to reconnect and find out about my life. I believe that my godmother looked forward to the day when she would be with God in heaven. She was a wonderful person and I was very fortunate to have had her been a part of my life. My prayers are with all of the family that she loved so much. Betty

Dear Ralph, Helen, Ronald, and Michael;

I have many happy memories of “Mary’s Mom” that began 50 years ago when Mary and I were in Grade 7 together at Sacred Heart Junior High. I was always welcome at the Testin home with the lucky number–1313-13th Avenue SW, and I visited often. Mary’s Mom was always busy. There was always good food and the house was spotless. I remember her washing the kitchen floor on her hands and knees because she didn’t think a long-handled mop did a proper job. When the Angelus bell in Sacred Heart rang at noon, she stopped whatever she was doing to pray.

Mary and I listened for hours to stories of what it was like when she left Europe and arrived to start a new life in New York. She loved her family and the four great-children must have been a joy to her. The story of her life also had tears. She had the wisdom to know that we make it through life one step at a time and we can celebrate the strength that helped her overcome adversity in her life. Mary’s Mom made a difference in this world. I will miss her.

Love,

Beth