Widow Reunites with Long, Lost Relatives
Rita White, a 65 years old widow of Solihull UK, has reunited with some family members she has not seen in over 33 years. Her family was desperate to track her down since her sister Noreen has been diagnosed with cancer and becoming more ill as time passes.
Julie Fisher, Noreen’s daughter and niece to Rita, contacted the newspaper, the Birmingham Mail to help her find Rita. After the story published, the Mail was able to connect Julie and Rita together once again.
Rita was overcome with joy and tears when Julie contacted her and told her how the family was looking for her for so many years. “I was really shocked when I found out that my family members were trying to contact me because it has been such a long time. I really thought I would never see them again,” Rita said.
Rita chatted by phone with more members of her family adding to her already full experience. She reminisced about moving away and regretted never re-connecting with her family. “I was thrilled and completely surprised. I lost touch with all of my relatives when I moved home several years ago and I thought I would never see them again,” she said.
Though Rita is excited to reunite with sister Noreen, she is saddened by her condition. “I have been through so much since I last spoke to Noreen and I have so many things that I want to catch up with,” she said. “But my first thoughts are for Noreen and her health.”
Rita is no stranger to sickness as well since she is in her own recovery after a serious operation. Thankfully, she sees the reunion as the perfect pick-me-up.
Rita hopes to reunite with all of her siblings, even though she is saddened that one of her sisters has recently passed. She recalls being separated from them at a young age. “The families were torn apart when I was younger,” she said. “Noreen and myself were taken into care when we were 15 and the rest drifted away. Since the story appeared my phone hasn’t stopped ringing.”
The reunion is in the works and the family stays in communication awaiting the time when they can all meet. Rita continues to relive the emotions she felt when she picked up the phone and had first contact with Julie. “When Julie first called me I could not stop crying. But they were tears of joy because I was so happy,” she said.
When asked about the reunion she stated, “I am going to travel to America to visit Noreen as soon as I am able.”