Violet Bader

I  was born  in    Somers Point   on  September 28, 1927, attended the  New York Avenue School for  1st  and  2nd grades,  then  Dawes   Avenue  from  3rd  to  8th grades.       Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. (Lewis) Gath taught me and also my four sisters, my brother Bill,   two  of  my  nieces and my son. I think they taught the whole town from 1932 on.  Mrs.  Johnson  left several years before my son graduated in  1966. I graduated from OCHS in 1945.

My life was wonderful. Although we were always on the poor side, we were rich in many other ways.  My parents were great -- but we got it if we did anything wrong. Because Dad was on the police force we never wanted to embarrass him.  All in all, we were pretty good, and were always allowed to bring our friends home.     During WWII we danced holes in the  living room  rug, but   Mom would say "A rug can be replaced but your youth can't."

Dad and Mom were a special lot. Dad would come home for a minute or so, would call upstairs to my  Mom,  "Hey, Emma, I just thought of a little tune."  He would go on the sun porch  and play  "Girl of My Dreams,"  then yell upstairs to her, "See ya!" My mom  met   my  dad when  she was  9 and  he was 11;  neither ever had another boyfriend or girlfriend.       They were married when she was 16. Especially with six kids, they did have their ups  and  downs.      He always worked, went on the police force  in  1930   and  retired  in 1955.      Back in the late 30's he made $64 twice a month.        Many times he came home with half a pay because he had helped some needy family. He would come to the store in our house next to the school and make food orders to take to a family or two.    Mom would get upset sometimes, because things were hard back then.

I know this is supposed to be my profile, so on with my life.

When I met Lyn Bader from  Atlantic City I was 14; we didn't go steady back then. We both had lots of friends, but he was fun and a good dancer. I seemed to want to be with him for all the special times,  so  when  I was   18  we  married.     We had a beautiful wedding.     Lyn was in the Army;  I  had  worked on  a   punch press in my uncle's machine shop.       After    we  married  I  went  to  work for the N.J. Racing Commission as a secretary, working at Atlantic City, Garden State, and Monmouth Tracks. I loved the excitement.

My Dad said I was a born gypsy. I still like to wander and travel.

Lyn went on the police force. No one else wanted the job.     He had been a special officer for several years. His starting salary was $2400 a year; when my dad retired after 25 years he was making $3850 a year.

Lyn wanted another son, and our prayers were answered -- we had Eddie in 1961. We had had a happy household,   but  something   happened along the way and our marriage ended shortly after Eddie was born. As life progresses you learn there are no easy answers to what happens, and you learn to forgive. Lyn and I were always there for each other  in times  of  sadness and happiness, for graduations, marriages, etc.

Now I am retired after working in Shore Memorial from 1957 to 1989      (with the exception of a few years).         That was my calling.    I love to take care of people. Sometimes I worked 3 and 4 jobs when the kids were young, but we made it and I am very proud of my children. We have a loving relationship and I am blessed with 10 grandchildren.    I am still working, taking care of an 82-year-old blind man who has Parkinson's disease and other serious ailments.

Somers Point is a great little town. I am proud to have spent my life here.