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PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, Sept. 17, 1985 -- 9 SR i a pr ------ Lg EN ---- oto Se Et Tearful reunion ends a A separation that began more than 60 years ago in the Carib- bean ended in a flood of tears and emotion September 8 at a rural home south of Blackstock. Winnifred Bedlow, now 64, met her sister Rhona DaSilva, now 67, for the first time since the two were forced to go their separatge ways as tots 61 years ago on the island of Trinidad. In all those years, they had not seen each other, talked on the phone, or even exchanged a letter or Christmas card. Needless to say, when AUTO INSURANCE the reunion took place last week at the home of Mrs. Bedlow's daughter -and son-in-law, it was a joyous event. "We did a lot of cry- ing,' the two sisters told .the Star in an interview last week. And then they started to catch up on a lot of family news from the last 61 years. The story began on the island of St. Vincent when Winnifred was just three years old and Rhona was five. Their mother went to visit her brother in Trinidad and took the two children DJ TAYLOR INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. 170 Water Street North, Port Perry - 985-8416 CALL: For an Appointment HOURS: Also see us about your Home, Life, Farm, Commercial and Mortgage Insurance needs! ane *|SLAND HAIR DESIGN 985-3947 4 ourmet ervice with her. There were three other grown-up children in the family. The girls' mother at the time was in failing health and going blind. She realized she pro- bably would not be able to care for two young girls. When she left Trinidad, she took Rhona with her and Wi..aifred remained behind to be raised by the brother. Even though Trinidad and St. Vincent are not too far apart, that was the last contact the sisters had until last week. 'I often thought of try- ing to get in touch with Rhona but it never hap- pened. Procrastination, I guess,' said Winnifred sadly. Winnifred came to Canada nearly 20 years ago and now lives with her daughter, Judy and her husband, Gunther Mertineit, south of Blackstock. Plans for the reunion began several weeks ago through a cousin of the two sisters living in Toronto. Albertina Quintero learned that Rhona was planning a visit to New York September 8 to bring Rhona to Canada and their home where Winnifred was waiting to see her long lost sister. Albertina Quintero learned that Rhona was planning to visit to New York City to visit two of her daughters, and the arrangements were made for Rhona to come to Canada to see Winnifred. Judy and Gunther drove to New York September 8 to bring Rhona to Canada and their home where Win- nifred was waiting to see her long lost sister. And what have they been talking about since then? Their families. 985-8262 FO Bo 1456 Fort Ferry, Ontarto LOR INO CATERING with a UNIQUE FLAIR! We prepare You pick up, cook and take all the credit for a delicious meal! _ OR -- We provide full catering for Weddings - Office Parties, Dinner Parties & more! jon of 61 years mostly. Rhona has 12 children and 51 grand- children. Winnifred has three kids, nine grand- children and four great grandchildren. Rhona will spend the next five weeks or so visiting with her sister and taking in some of the sights as Niagara Falls and the CN Tower. And with winter not too far off, she likely will see snow for the first time in her life. Rhona then will return to New York City and spend several weeks there with her two daughters. And if plans work out, the two sisters will get together again, possibily as early as next year when a full family reu- nion is held in St. Vin: cent, an island near the coast of South America where Rhona has lived all her life. In the meantime, Rhona and Winnifred will spend the next few weeks catching up on a life-time of news and events that was broken more than 60 years ago. VISA Sixty-one years is a long time to be separated from your sister. Rhona DaSilva (left) and Winnifred Bedlow were just children when they were forced to separate. But they finally got back together at a tearful reunion in Scugog Township last week (see story). ITS HERE ... The most exciting casuals to come along in the past few fall seasons! 4 Bata r' Men cQWWean Ld. PORT PERRY PLAZA 985-8160 7 Monday. Tuesday. Thursday 10 to 6 Friday to 9 Saturday to 5 Mate Card a { |