by Angel Burns, Sue’s granddaughter
The year 2015 marked two special occasions for my grandmother, Sue DeLapo. Namely, her 100th birthday celebrated in November and the 60th anniversary of her beach house located on 5th Street in North Wildwood. Sue, or Grandmom as she is known to most of us, always cherished her summers in Wildwood, a legacy she passed down to our family.
My mother, Florine likes to tell stories of her earliest Wildwood memories. “We came down to visit my aunt Mary, who had a house on Surf Ave. Back then, Surf was the last street before the beach and you had to walk through the high grass to get to the ocean.”
After visiting Aunt Mary, Grandmom and my grandfather, Sam, along with their three children Angie, Florine and Annie, spent a week in a house located around 4th and Atlantic Ave.
In 1955, they bought their place on 5th and Atlantic Ave. “5th Street” has been in our family ever since.
“It was a mess and took a lot of hard work to get it cleaned up,” my grandmother said of the house at the time. My grandparents worked hard to renovate the house, including adding a second floor apartment to rent.
Everyone in our family has their own favorite stories of the 5th Street beach house ranging from big family picnics out back to late night rummy games and time spent on the front porch. One of my favorites is one my mom tells about my sister, Sandy, who was born the year my grandparents bought the house (and is celebrating her 60th this year as well). When she was just a few weeks old, she was sick and the doctor recommended taking her to the beach. Well, that is just what my mother did! She got better right away. Sandy is my grandmother’s first grandchild and is aptly named. Her love for the beach took root immediately and continues to this day. Sandy and our mom still bring Grandmom to her beach house on weekends. Alongside Grandmom, our family continues to enjoy vacations and weekends on 5th Street.
No matter when you stop by, you are sure to be greeted by Grandmom waiting on the front porch with the same offer. “Let’s go in and have a nice cup of coffee,” likely said with a smile on her face.
