The Palmerton Historical Society has published a book that contains reminisces of the New Jersey Zinc Company visiting nurse during her 30 years with the company.

Called “Sense of Touch,” Recordings and Reflections of Myra M. Brookmyer, the book shares recollections from Myra Brookmyer of Lititz, who worked for the zinc company for 30 years from 1915-1945, said Peter Kern, treasurer of the Palmerton Area Historical Society.

Kern said that from 1943-63, Brookmyer wrote her reminisces on her visits, and gave several copies of this booklet to friends.

“One copy survived that was given to me about three years ago,” Kern said. “It was found in the belongings of a gentleman born in Palmerton, and raised in Palmerton, who moved to Maryland.

“When he passed away, his wife found it in his belongings, and felt we should have it and sent it to me. A lot of it (the book) is written in the dialect of people.”

Kern said that Brookmyer’s service with the zinc company covered the period of two World Wars and the Great Depression.

“Many of her reminiscences reflect the hardships (and joys) of the families that lived in the community during these trying times,” he said. “Some of her thoughts are conveyed in verses of as little as four lines - while others are more extensive.”

Kern said the 36-page book is limited to 250 copies, numbered.

Numbered copies are available for $10 at the Palmerton Area Heritage Center, or may be ordered for delivery by mail for $15.

Recollections of a retired nurse

Jeanne Stemler, a retired nurse who lives in Palmerton, reminisced about her time spent with Brookmyer while Stemler was a student.

“Part of your training was to go out and visit families that needed advice on health, and Myra drove and went to the new families,” Stemler said. “She was available to any employee or anybody in the town, and she made daily visits to homes to help people.”

Stemler said she had “no idea” Brookmyer was writing poetry at the time.

“We all had a chance to go with her when we were in the nursing program; there were about 10-12 in a class,” Stemler said. “She got a lot done, she was very dependable, and always available for people.”

A life’s work

Brookmyer passed away on Aug. 23, 1980, at Moravian Manor in her native town of Lititz, according to Kern, who wrote the foreword to “Sense of Touch,” Recordings and Reflections of Myra M. Brookmyer.

She had celebrated her 91st birthday two weeks earlier, “and celebrated a career that spanned much of the 20th century” Kern said.

Brookmyer was born Aug. 7, 1889, in Lititz, but spent most of her life in Palmerton as a public health nurse in the employment of The New Jersey Zinc Company, Kern said.

“She was affectionately and respectfully known to all as ‘Miss Brookmyer’ and despite the professional approach she took to her work and to her imposing image, she was said to be a very warm and pleasant person,” Kern wrote. “This is reflected in the writings that fill this modest publication.”

Kern said that Brookmyer graduated from Lititz High School in 1905, and from the Pennsylvania Business College in 1907. Shortly thereafter, she enrolled at the Lankenau Hospital School of Nursing and received her degree in 1915.

“It was at this time, that The New Jersey Zinc Company was in the forefront of ‘sociological work’ relating to its employees and their families,” he wrote. “The Company was the beneficiary of the influx of immigrant labor and recognized that a structured program of health and safety would create a ‘well-trained and intelligent workforce.’”

Kern added that Brookmyer “was to become an integral part of this program.”

He said that for 40 years, Brookmyer “fulfilled a vital role in the community,” and “was regularly accompanied in her visits by students from the Palmerton Hospital School of Nursing and the ‘on the job training’ they received under Myra’s tutelage served them well in their future careers,” Kern wrote.

“It was during these years with NJZ that Myra recorded her memories and composed these words that she would eventually share with a few friends,” Kern wrote. “Upon her retirement at age 65, Myra lived quietly in her home on Lafayette Avenue and created ‘Sense of Touch.’”

Kern said the poems take various forms - some with a defined structure, others in free verse - “but each conveys a memory of Palmerton’s unique heritage,” he wrote.

He wrote, “It is not clear how many copies Myra distributed, and her efforts might have been lost to future generations were it not for the thoughtfulness of Carol Vorosmarti, of Rockville, Maryland.”

Kern wrote that Vorosmarti found a copy among the belongings of her late husband, James Vorosmarti Jr.

“It has apparently been passed on to Jim from his parents, James and Ruth, whose home was the subject of ‘Bless This House’ in 1948,” he wrote. “Carol recognized its worth and passed it on to the Palmerton Area Historical Society in January 2020.”

Kern said he would like to see Brookmyer’s legacy live on.

“There are only a few residents of Palmerton who still remember Miss Brookmyer and in the next few years that number will decline,” he wrote. “The Historical Society hopes this reproduction will enable future generations to benefit from her simple yet profound thoughts.”