Mom's Bits of Wisdom
Mothers do much more than keep their children clothed, fed and entertained.
They teach us about life and getting along. They model kindness and good manners. They comfort our fears and anxieties; they build up our courage and self-esteem.
And they are among the first in their children's lives to impart wisdom — the kind of wisdom that sticks with you forever.
Eagle staff writers asked a cross-section of Butler County leaders about nuggets of wisdom they received from their moms. Here are responses, from school officials and funeral directors.
As a child, I grew up on a small dairy farm in Chicora. Most people might be surprised to know that I did milk the cows prior to going to school in the mornings and did chores after school.Reflecting on those days, I would say that I was fortunate that I had supportive parents.My mother, Lynn Ritzert, always encouraged me to study and work hard in school. She did her best to help with school work and believed that education was the way to be able to get a good job later in life.For the most part, I was a compliant child and thus I followed the advice most of the time.Academically, I was a better high school student than an elementary school student and I suppose it was primarily because I started to appreciate what she meant about studying and earning good grades.In all, I would say her advice worked out for me. I currently have a wonderful and rewarding job and one that is in the field of study that I went to school for, education.I would definitely recommend to my own three children and all the other school age children out there to do your best when in school.Getting a good education is a ticket to a better and brighter future.I know I do not say it enough, but I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day.
“Understand the value of hard work and honesty. My mother, Patty Neupauer, exemplified both qualities for years, especially when my father had an illness.“At that time, she had to go back to work full-time while taking care of him and raising teenage sons. She did a remarkable job.”Neupauer said he would like to think he followed her advice.“Regardless of difficult tasks or challenges, I reflect back on her incredible work ethic and integrity in doing so,” he said. “No matter how difficult the message, I always forge ahead and tell the truth. I got that from both of my parents.”He absolutely gives this advice to others.“Hard work and honesty are characteristics that transcend time and place. In other words, they are the backbone of the American way. A person's legacy, in my opinion, is tied to both.”
Jenna Buechele, who is co-director of the Buechele Funeral Home, East Brady, with her dad, Charles Buechele, said her mom has the “toughest job in the world.”“With no vacation, on-call 24/7, endless exertion, working more than 135 hours per week with greater demands around the holidays, and $0 salary, mothers really do hold the toughest job in the world,” Jenna said.This description summarizes her mom, Susan Buechele, Jenna said, because in addition to being a full-time mom, Susan also owns and operates the funeral home with her family.“Growing up in Pittsburgh and outside of the funeral business, she transitioned seamlessly as wife, mother, secretary and accountant,” Jenna said. “But that can be summarized by saying she is the glue that holds our family and our business together.”Jenna said she and her sister, Audra, have always had their mom's full support in everything they do.“She encouraged and inspired us both to pursue the careers we loved and instilled in us that there is no adversity we couldn't overcome,” Jenna said. “Our dad was fortunate to find such a hard-working woman and we are blessed to be Susan Buechele's daughters. Every day we are thankful we can turn to her for advice, comfort and friendship. Thank you for all that you do, Mom!”Mike Leitera, South Butler assistant superintendent“My mother imparted a great deal of wisdom to me throughout my life. So much so that it is difficult to narrow down a specific kind,” said Mike Leitera, assistant superintendent of South Butler schools. “Suffice it to say that all of it has been useful as I have grown and matured.”Leitera didn't always follow her advice. he said, “But I wish I would have. It has always worked for me.”He said he gives her advice to others now.
Peggy Borkowski of Glassport told her son, Jeremy Borkowski, “You can accomplish anything you set your mind to, and if you work hard, you can be anything you want to be.”He took that advice to heart.“It wasn't always a given in high school that I was going to college. I didn't know what my next path would be,” said Borkowski.At Moniteau High School, Borkowski teaches history, AP history, AP economics, computer classes and business classes.He also coached the school's winning academic decathlon team for six years.Borkowski said his mother's advice was very influential. He met his goal of becoming a teacher and immediately getting a job in Pennsylvania. Her advice helped him achieve Pennsylvania Economics Teacher of the Year in 2012.“The mothers in our community have been instrumental in our student success,” said Borkowski. “What I tell them reinforces what they are learning at home, especially from their mothers.”Borkowski encourages his students to create opportunities for themselves and for others.“With my students, I always talk about 'don't let your location determine your destination,'” said Borkowski. “Being from a smaller rural area does not predetermine what we're going to do.“I have kids that have gone everywhere.”
Eddie Young said his mom, Joy Cora Young, who passed away in 1997, taught him how to deal with life's bullies.“Never wish anything bad upon somebody else because chickens come home to roost,” Young said, quoting one of his mom's favorite sayings.Young said he still follows his mother's advice when he comes up against adversity.“I just go with the flow and mind my business,” Young said. “If they call you names, just let them go. Take it like a man.”Now Young has two children of his own, Eddie and Korynne, and said he shares his mom's idea of karma with them whenever they face their own bullies.“Whether it's your neighbor or your brother, if they did something to you, something will happen to them someday,” Young said. “Just leave them alone. Chickens come home to roost.”
Keri Raisley Hays, funeral director at the Edward L. Raisley Funeral Home, Prospect, said her mom, Judy Raisley, was forced to take on many roles after Keri's dad passed when Keri was 11 and her sister, Vicki Raisley Foley, who now lives in Orlando, Fla., was 15.“In the blink of an eye, my mom became the mom, the dad and the owner of our family business,” Hays said. “She battled our teenage years, our boyfriends, our jobs, and our different extra activities and sports.”Hays said through the years, her mom has given “advice, lectures, pointers and opinions” to her daughters.“In those days, my sister and I both thought she was out of her mind,” Hays said, but added that Judy gave her daughters every opportunity to succeed.“Her most memorable advice was to try this, try that, but do what makes you happy,” Hays said.Now Hays said she follows in her dad's footsteps as funeral director, but with her mom by her side.“Not only has she been my lifetime role model, but she has been the best mother in the world,” Hays said.“Judy Raisley's love and kindness can be found in our family, in our business and in our community.”
“She was a real strict Christian lady,” said Bill Jardine of Butler, retired restaurateur and instructor for catering and management at Butler County Community College.“She told me always do your very best. Whatever it takes to get the job done, make sure you do it well.”Sarah Grace Jardine grew up in East Brady and lived her adult life in East Brady and Sarver. Jardine follows her advice.“She was a very thoughtful person. She always took everyone's feelings into consideration,” he said. “You always have to be concerned about the people who surround you. Be considerate of them.“I think I've passed that on to my children and to other people. Everyone in this world is different and they all need to be treated as individuals,” he said.“We just discussed this in my class this morning. Everyone has different ideas and personalities but we all have to work together.”
