Mary: A Conversation With Sharon Walentowicz

October 29th, 2008: I'm going to adopt Josh's mode of putting a conversation into a log-type format here. I just finished speaking on the phone with Mrs. Walentowicz's only daughter, Sharon, back in Milwaukee.


ME: Thank you so much for taking my call. Detective Ward gave me your number, and I only have a few questions, things that probably won't seem too important. I just want to get some more background in the hopes that it will help us find your Mother's murderer.

SHARON WALENTOWICZ: Okay, go ahead.

ME: This question is going to sound incredibly frivolous, but I wanted to ask about your Mom and the game of Bingo.

SHARON: (laughs) Okay, I did not expect you to ask that. I'm not sure what you want to know. She played it all the time, down at the casino, at church, wherever. It was her favorite thing to do, to pass the time. Old people love it.

ME: Did she play for big money? Were you worried about her losing?

SHARON: Yes and no. Meaning, yes she played for big money and no I wasn't worried. She won often.

ME: How often? A lot more than the other players?

SHARON: Let me put it this way, you know her house? Paid for with Bingo winnings. Same with her car. Same with my car, which she bought for me last year. She had to be the luckiest player in Wisconsin. All the old ladies knew her over at the hall. (Begins crying) I'm sorry. I'm sorry, it's just so soon. I still can't believe it. Are you any closer to finding her killer?

ME: We're... doing everything we can, believe me. Was she involved with anyone... I don't know how to ask this... anyone shady? Someone you didn't like, or who made you nervous?

SHARON: Not really. Some of the Bingo ladies were jealous of all her winning, of course, but they weren't bad people, and my Mom never rubbed it in anyone's face. She would always get offers from other Bingo halls, some big places to come and play there. She was famous in her own little world. There was even a discounted offer for her to join a retirement home especially for big bingo enthusiasts. Isn't that just the weirdest thing you ever heard?

ME: Only if you tell me it was in Atlanta.

SHARON: No, no. (Laughs) I don't know why you'd think that was strange. No, it was just in some town, Hollis something-or-other. Hello? Miss Stroud? Hello?

ME: ...Thank you for your time. Thank you. I'll be in touch.