Eric Ascoli
From Eric Ascoli, family friend.
Rebecca and I have been friends of Ed and Cathy Pearse for multiple decades. When still living in Guatemala, on special occasions, like luncheons or birthdays with the Pearses, we often met Maria Elena. She always greeted me with a big smile and a hug. Once in a while she would say to me: “a friend of Ed is always my friend too.” When we visited her home in Barcenas, she welcomed us with open arms and treated us as special guests.
What was surprising to me was the closeness between my good friend Ed and his sister Maria Elena. When talking to each other in Spanish, they seemed to have almost like a secret language, using local jargon with words that most probably went back to their childhood and common experiences. By just saying a couple of words to each other, they broke up in laughter. I was born in Guate, grew up there and even so, could not always follow their talk. Their conversation and jokes surely went totally over the heads of English-speaking people.
Rebecca and I were surprised at her passing away. We will always remember her gentle ways.