Mr Winegarten died to-day. A merciful release, I suppose. This was his second or third stroke, and he had been non compos for some time. Mike Horn also died, the other day. Sam found out purely by chance. There is to be an inquest. Golda says she blames herself; they had been living apart. Still, I feel certain that Golda would not have left him had he been livable with. He was on National Assistance. Could never stay in a job. Malnutrition or suicide, I gather, is suspected – a Welfare Officer had to break in.
Edith had her “op” to-day – all her friends write about her “op”, which I find a little irritating. I don’t know why – since I am constantly pointing out that languages develop along the path of abbreviation – phone, plane,cab,bus, etc. Everything all right. Aunt Debbie left about an hour ago. Boobbe arrives to-morrow.
Sam staying at the mortuary with Mr Fishman. Bang goes another one of his precious leave days, perhaps the whole week, as he says. Hope he doesn’t catch a cold at the mortuary, khatch.
E doing very well at the hospital, [Finchley Memorial] situated, me zoll es nisht bedurrfen, [Yiddish = I don’t need it] in beautiful grounds. Television room, garden. Am coping here. Aunt Debby a bit of a trail with her Vot’s de matter mit you to the kids, but nebbich [Yiddish = unfortunately] her life, also on her own, is not all honey, and I’d be a lot worse off without her.
Joseph Witriol's Writings 