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Elisabeth Riis, wife of famed urban
reformer and photojournalist Jacob Riis, died in 1905 at the age of 52
and was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery. Elisabeth and Jacob were
Richmond Hill residents. Jacob called Elisabeth "Lammet" (Little Lamb).
After her death he memorialized her by dedicating stained glass windows
at nearby
Church of the Resurrection (The Good Shepard) where the Riis family
worshipped. In addition, he placed a small reclining lamb sculpture on
her gravestone at Maple Grove Cemetery. |
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On
April 17, 2005, Maple Grove and the
Richmond
Hill Historical Society honored the memory of Elisabeth Riis. A
special mass was celebrated on Good Shepard Sunday at the Church of the
Resurrection. Father Charles McCarron presented a beautiful mass and
children from the Immaculate Conception School in Jamaica Estates
recited the story of Jacob and Elisabeth. (Note:
These children are recipients of the Peacewords Grant, which is
helping them work on extensive projects about Jacob Riis's legacy. At
the mass, Jane Pjetersen, a Danish singer and actress, sang a beautiful
Danish Hymn. |
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After the mass, the group
re-assembled at Elisabeth Riis’ Maple Grove Cemetery gravesite,
which was decorated with flowers and the Danish and American
flags. Father McCarron dedicated and blessed the grave. |
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Carl Ballenas and Nancy Cataldi from the Richmond
Hill Historical Society recited letters that Jacob had written
about the death of Elisabeth and his sorrow. Jane Pjetersen sang
another lovely Danish love song. The ceremony was very touching
– made more so by the fact that it was a beautiful spring day. A
representative from the Danish Consulate was present. Lela Riis
Agnew, great-great granddaughter of Jacob and Elisabeth, sent a
wonderful letter that Nancy Cataldi read during the dedication
ceremony. |
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