Had my parents bought their house on any other block in Hollis we probably would have never met Barbara Brosnan and that would have been a shame. Fortunately, for us five Connolly girls we lived on 187th Street just up the block from Barbara and her family.. She became a hugh part of our lives but how it all came about I really don't remember, all I know is that this wonderful beautiful girl liked us very much and we loved her.She had such a profound effect on us growing up and she probably never realized how big a roll she played in shaping these young kids into the woman we eventually became.. Memories of Barbara always included my sisters and I hanging out at her house or in her room, or my favorite, on the front stoop of her house.. She was always so funny and I can still hear her laugh as if she were here with me now. My sisters and I loved Barbara so much that we did not want to be like her we all wanted to BE her. I remember one day Barbara had done her room over in white and it was beautiful. I commented that I would love to have my own room and she looked at me and said "No you don't" she went on to tell me that she used to wish for her own room and then her brother died and she would have much rather have had her brother than her own room, I never wished for my own room again. That was as serious as Barbara had ever been with me but I never forgot it. Barbara never told us how to act what to do or not do instead she showed us by example. I remember Barbara had this friend Maureen who always told her to send us home but she never did for some reason Barbara liked us and liked having us around and we loved her for it. Barbara was one of the best parts of our childhood. My parents loved her so much that they named my youngest sister after Barbara. So many people go through life and never really touch anyone, Barbara touched us all as kids with her kindness, humor, & grace.. as an adult with kindness humor grace, courage and strength..She was a roll model for my sisters and I fifty years ago and she remaims a roll model for us today..Barbara you are finally at rest I hope you realize how much you were loved by us and that you will always be in our hearts.I love you Barbara thank you for everything. Love Maureen
