Reflections at Henry Elden's Celebration of Life - Memorial Service
Henry, The CREATIVE GENIUS! - Elaine Shakley
Henry was only eight
when his Father died. His family and my family lived in a small town in
Pennsylvania, Boswell. WE lived two doors away from each other... His Mother,
my Aunt Grace,
thought it would help her son and daughter to move to Johnstown, Pa because they
had better schools than Boswell. My parents and Aunt grace decided to move
together to Johnstown and live together. My grandparents thought it would never
work but in fact it helped all of us. Henry was like a big brother to me. When
my baby sister was born, Henry absolutely adored her. One day Mother could not
find the baby. Henry was 14 at the time. Here he had taken the baby to the
YMCA
around the corner and was asking his friends to give him 25 cents to see the
baby! He was already influencing people at a tender age!
When Henry was in High School and studying Latin, my parents helped him
with his home work. I remember seeing him have tears going down his face because
he thought the subject was hard.
My parents said "If you want to become something of yourself you must listen to
us and try very hard. " He listened and turned into a creative genius and built
this MAGNIFICENT BUILDING in l969.
He and Evelyn worked together in planning the outside of this unique place.
My home was designed by an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright's
buildings were rectangular where Henry's are circular. This building is so
unusual that it should be enjoyed by
many, many people. It should be a Museum. Much money is being spent to correct
mistakes that have been made. Money should also be spent on sharing this
spectacular and unique creation with the world! WE have all been blessed to
know Henry. Aunt Grace called him Lambie which describes the son of God who
rose from the dead on Easter, the very week-end we celebrated the life of a
creative genius, Henry Theodore Elden
Lovingly, Elaine Shakley - relative that grew up in the household with Henry