8 sisters enjoy banter during get-togethers
When Marcella "Betty" Fallecker invites her sisters over for cards at her Franklin Township home, everyone brings her own sack lunch.
That's partially because hosting a party for eight can lead to a lot of cooking. But a few minutes with the former Young sisters reveal that fun — not cooking — is what they seek at their monthly events.
While the women toss in poker chips and coins, they also offer up quips and banter.
"This is how many years we've been married total," Betty says, pointing to handwritten tally of 428 years to offer one fun fact on the group.
"That's enough to commit suicide," replies Jane Beltrami of Franklin Township.
Despite the family's unusually large size, the sisters typically all attend, rotating between hostesses who provide dessert for their lunch-toting guests.
"This is strictly a sister thing," says Betty, explaining they designate separate time for visiting with other family members.
"We talk about our families and have a nice time together."
"And sass each other," someone calls out.
"That's what I said," interjects Eileen Curtis of Donegal Township. "We argue like this, then when we go home we all kiss each other goodbye and say 'I love you.'"
"Then we go out the door and say 'I didn't mean that at all,'" retorts Cleo Tritch of Butler Township.
The ribbing, which continues for much of the gathering, has been happening for 20-plus years, as long as the events have been held.
The women range between 66 and 84 years old. They also had eight brothers, three of whom are deceased.
A portrait hanging in Betty's foyer drives home the reality of family size: The photograph occupies considerable wall space, enlarged so as not to dwarf those portrayed."They said we were a good advertisement for pantyhose," Betty notes, referring to the arrangement in which all eight sisters are seated in skirts with their brothers standing behind them.Despite involvement in their outside church and social groups, the sisters also stay connected in other ways."It's wonderful. We have a good time," said Virginia Korieth of Franklin Township. "We do go out to lunch together, all of us.""If we hear any good news, the (telephone) lines are hot," Betty said.For sisters who are least available, the monthly parties are valued."I'm a golfer; I'm a bowler. I have all these other friends too, but I'm always glad to get together with my sisters," said Eleanor Clouse of Oakland Township.Born to the late William Sr. and Marcella (Stein) Young, the women attribute their closeness to childhood on a family farm, pointing to a culture in which families spent time as a group.Big families today don't always do things together, noted Mary Ferguson of Butler Township."Not even little families," Betty said.The sisters revert to a serious tone when talking about their upbringing, listing chickens, goats, sheep and other livestock as part of the atmosphere."We all had our jobs to do, Betty said.The age span was such that older siblings helped with chores and caring for the younger ones.Pauline Graham of Butler Township, for instance, recounts giving birth on the same day as her mother."There are 30 years between the oldest and youngest in the family," Betty explained.But age is no longer a factor among the sisters, who continue upholding their longtime bond."Any one of us that needs one or the other, we'll be there," Betty said.
