This letter to the editor was published in The Republican Herald, Pottsville, Pa. last week as a final “thank you” from the late Barbara Umlauf, Executive Director of Hillside SPCA in Pottsville for 34 yeas, to the supporters of Joe and Caroline’s Fund, This fund was established in memory of Barbara’s late children, Joe and Caroline. Barbara’s final wish was that The Fund live on to continue providing the miracles of second chances and saving lives of animals in need at the Hillside SPCA. Please help us keep her dreams, efforts, and memory alive by continuing to support The Fund with your gifts of any size. Her final letter appeared as follows:
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letter by Barbara Umlauf was submitted to the Republican Herald on her behalf by her sister, Paula Murphy of Numidia. Umlauf, formerly of Ashland,who served as Executive Director of Hillside SPCA in Pottsville for 34 years, passed away Dec. 20th, 2018.
To the Editor:
By the time you read this, I will be gone, hopefully to Hillside Heaven with my adored children, Joe and Caroline, my Mom and Dad, and all my family and animals who were everything to me. I used to tell my Joe and Caroline that there is a saying that when you are dying, the first sound you hear is your beloved animals that have gone before you, waiting for you. So, I told them when I put my hands on my ears, that it was time for me to go, because it would be a roar from all our buddies who YOU saved. I used to remember as a teenager a lot of songs were about “dying of a broken heart.” Now I know that you can.
Because, as you know, I am obsessive and compulsive about Hillside SPCA for more than 33 years, I could not think of dying and not thanking all of the tremendous friends that made miracle after miracle happen.
And miracles they are. From a condemned building that was about to close with 18 dogs and cats when the owners died, because of YOU, there are now 5 brand new buildings that house more than 300 animals and thousands of lives have been saved. This is because of YOU! Every animal that entered our doors received their second chance at life to be loved. They so deserved this after all the neglect and abuse they suffered. Every time I pull into the shelter and look around at all the faces that are safe, happy and loved in the haven you have made possible, I bless you. It truly is a dream come true.
Since I started my Joe and Caroline Fund, every animal is now spayed and neutered before they leave, and receive any medical vet care they need (and for so many, it made the difference between life and death). The fund not only kept our buddies alive, but me also. There, again, are no words to ever thank you for helping me in the hardest and saddest time of my life.
I’m going to close now, as I tend to go on and on about Hillside. I have been blessed by my sisters, Nadine and Paula, and their families. They are the best friends anyone could ever have, in the best and worst of times. I would also like to thank my staff, who literally have devoted their lives to Hillside, and suffered so many nightmares that life has been very hard for them. But, they continue to give all the love they have. I also thank the Hillside Board, most of whom have been on for at least 30 years. They have endured me, and all of the problems of the shelter. It has been a long, hard road for all of you.
I could never thank in a letter all of the people who have gone over the top with helping us. It would take up the entire newspaper. But you know who you are.
You, our supporters, are our heroes. Without you, we would be gone. My children, all of our buddies, past, present, and future, and myself love you more than you’ll ever know. Please keep their dream alive!!
Forever and ever, Barbara Parnell Umlauf
