11 July 1927 Tonawanda News Prominent East Aurora Woman Found Drowned Buffalo, N. Y., July 11 - The body of Mrs. Vera A. Ponafidine, daughter-in-law of the late Pierre Ponafidine, for many years consul-general at Constantinople, was found in a shallow pool at East Aurora Sunday. No cause has been officially subscribed to the death but Medical Examiner Long is of the opinion the woman was seized with a dizzy spell and toppled into the water. She had been under water nearly 12 hours, Long said. Mrs. Ponafidine left the house of her brother-in-law about 11 o'clock Saturday night to go for a walk and her body was found at about ten o'clock Sunday morning. The brother-in-law, Alexander Ponafidine, instituted the search which resulted in finding the body. Accidental death by drowning is expected to be pronounced by Medical Examiner Long.
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Interesting. I am not sure why you posted this... I am glad you did. Vera Ponafidine was my Grandmother. I am just starting looking up the family, so if you have any information, please let me know.
I personally have a lot of information concerning the Ponafidines since Vera's in laws, mentioned in this post both wrote books. Emma Ponafidine wrote Russia My Home, and My Life in the Moslem East and Pierre wrote Life in the Moslem East.
Sadly, Vera's daughter Vera also committed suicide September 10, 1973.
Shane
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I am originally from East Aurora, NY and my next door neighbors while growing up were Alexander and Elizabeth Ponafidine. I would be glad to share any information I have about them...
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Hi...
Yes, actually, I would love to have anything and everything on Alex, who was my mother's Uncle. I never knew his wife's name, nor do I have an address or anything really else about him other than what my Great Grandmother wrote in her book, which was before the East Aurora days.
Shane
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I performed te funeral service for Alexander Ponafidine and often visited his wife Yelizaveta Vasilievna when I was priest at trhe Russian Church in Buffalo from 1976-81. I will be happy to share what I know.
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Hello Shane -
I have always loved Emma Ponafidine's "Russia My Home" - one of the most heartbreaking and beautifully written accounts to come out of the emigration following the Bolshevik revolution. My copy of the book is inscribed with a short quote, origin unknown to me, that I often read for inspiration: "The night is long, but dawn is coming." I have some material on your Cochrane ancestors and relatives which I received from a descendant of Emma's. You may already have it, but if not, give me a shout.
All best - Grant
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Grant,
I am sorry I never stopped back and saw your offer. I'd love to have that information. I am going to leave me email here. if ANYONE has information concerning this family, I would LOVE to hear from you.
email is
shane.g.anderson - AT - gmail DOT com
Thanks!
Shane
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