Mary Grace's Life

As you all know Mary Grace passed away on February 20 - I'm guessing much to her surprise and much certainly to mine. The following is from a card I received from a friend from college, Chris. I know many people have written nice words about her life, but I thought you all might be interested in another.

Susan – What a legacy your mom left you, your family and all who knew her. I always said that wonderful deadpan humor you have came from her. 

Even though I only encountered her a few times she made a vivid impression on me. I loved her no-nonsense approach to life and her ability to keep the most important things up front. Scott’s eulogy (which Karen sent to me along with some of her writings) brought back my first visit to your old house (including the bathroom door you couldn’t quite shut): there seemed to be a large trail of some sort of packing material covering the middle of the living room carpet, as if something very interesting had just happened. In fact the entire house oozed life and activity. My mother terrified into good behavior by her in laws, could never let any person in unless the entire place was immaculate (given that the possibility of panic attack was in abeyance) I loved the way your household ran with such easy going efficiency. 

And the books. We, too, had thousands of books, but the wide range of other cultures and wisdom made me envious. From Scott’s account your mom was a great reader.

I think only an original mind could have tackled life the way your mom did, dealing with everything she met in her own way, happy in her own being.

My best to you all.

Thanks to Chris for these kind words and now maybe that I've gotten through my first post since that event, I'll be able to go back to sharing odd facts and memorabilia from the family, Walkers, Sharpes, Burkharts, McClennys, Morgans, etc.

Shawnee 1951

Steve and Chris play near the new fence circa 1952.

 In June 1951my parents, Steve, Sally and I moved to a new subdivision of Kansas City, known unofficially, at least to the post office, as Shawnee Village. Prior to the 1950s the land we were living on had been used for agriculture so I feel we were pioneers. Dad's trip to downtown Kansas City where he worked for the Kansas City Times took more than 30 minutes. These are pictures from those early years. The letter is one Mom wrote to Dad's parents the week we moved.

Steve's 5th birthday - both sets of grandparents and Helen, Chris and Kerry.

 

Dear Folks

We feel sort of settled now that we have a draw curtain up in the living room.  We felt a little on display before.  I felt rather lucky for when I went to Sears to buy them I found that it takes two weeks to get them, but some lady had ordered some gray ones and then not taken them so they were on special.  They look nice with our room and pretty good outside too—which is what worried me.  We haven’t any hot water until today.  They turned on the gas yesterday and lighted the stove for me but they wouldn’t light the heater because it was new and the man said “the gas company aint got no heaters to replace them when they blow up,”  That made me feel real happy to have something liable to blow up in the basement.  I read the instruction but couldn’t figure them out. 

When the water meter man came I cornered him and asked him if he would watch me while I held the match and tell me what to do.  He and I got down on our knees—the floor was wet too and decided it wouldn’t light because there was air in the pipes.  He went away cheerfully telling me that sometimes it takes an half and hour to clear the pipes.  If the light man hadn’t come early I might have cornered him to finish lighting the heater because I got as far as the pilot light but couldn’t go further.  Mr. Welch came out and lighted it for me today.

Ray is feeling real good today but he felt a little draggy Sunday and Monday.  I’m sending you a couple of stories from the Times he wrote.  He seems to like it real well and as he has 5 until 7:30 for supper he comes home for supper.

I’m writing Gussie and dad the almost the same thing as I write you.  I thought I would warn both of you for the kids and I don’t do enough different things to make two letters different.  Love Mary

Dad joins the fun.

Celebrating Steve's birthday in the basement.

Christmas Letter - 1917

Watching Downton Abbey I remembered the letter that I had found in Laura's collection of Walker-Sharpe memorabilia. The letter is from Annie Cooke Walker Younger Croston to Betsy Sharpe Walker written December 7, 1917. Annie is Edward's sister who was four years younger than he. Also surviving is a letter from Ada to Laura remarking on how fond Betsy was of Ann and her family. In this letter from 1917 Annie writes of her children and other relatives. She had a son, Charles, and a daughter, Sarah Beatrice whom she called Beattie from her marriage to Charles Younger. From her marriage to Samuel Blakely Croston she had four daughters, Mary, Henrietta,[Etta], Isabella and Lalla.

Russia Hall in England drawn by Lalla Croston

Dovedale; 9 Rockville St

Rock Ferry

Dec 7^th 1917

My dear sister

We received the college syllabus and thank you very much for sending it. We are all going on wonderfully well. Though of course we have to pay much more for food etc and coal.

My brother is not at all well; got a bad cold awhile ago and I think it has settled in his back (lumbago I think). My girls are all very busy – Mary and Belle at their offices and Etta at her teachings. Lalla, of course, is busy with her . . . . classes, painting and dress making so her days are filled up I can assure you. Sarah and the girls and boys are doing well. . .. . Mere are of the girls going to be married in the spring, both marrying farmers so that will be all right for they are both good cheese makers. Etta is now living with us – her husband is in the R.G.A. [Royal Garrison Artillery]. We are hoping he will be able to come home for Christmas. Beattie and her two girls are doing nicely at her farm. Muriel the eldest makes cheese and butter. Norah is still going to school. Charlie my son is not at all strong. He is a farmer and Leslie his eldest boy just about 16 years (has only 2 boys and Beatrice just the 2 girls) attends as well as he can to all outside.

Well dearest Bessie we all wish you all a very Happy Christmas and we thank the Lord for all his goodness to us and  . . .  Your loving sister Annie E Croston

This is the wedding of Annie's daughter Etta with her two sisters, Belle and Lalla and her brother Charles. As another note connecting Edward and Betsy's family to Annie's, Edna wore Etta' s veil at her wedding to Edgar in 1913.

Annie mentions in her letter that Etta's husband is serving in the Royal Garrison Artillery. In a photograph from after the war it appears he lost his arm during that service. From another letter in Laura's collection is one between Ada and Lalla from the 1960s. Reinforcing the connection Ada named her second son Donald Croston Smith. Annie died the next October at the age of 67.

Happy New Year 2012

Ray and Steve celebrate the new year of 1950 in the Topeka apartment.

The celebration continues.

Merry Christmas from 1953

Sally, Steve and Susie

Photographs used for the 1953 Christmas Card.

Happy Birthday, Cindy!

A couple of images of Cindy from past Christmas cards, way past cards.

My memory from Cindy's birth is the sugar cubes Dad brought us from the hospital. I know Grandma and Grandpa Morgan came to Shawnee to babysit us, we three older ones, but I don't remember if we treated them well or not. I also don't remember when Thanksgiving was that year, but through the magic of the Internet, I can report it was on the 25th so Cindy was born on Saturday, the 27th.

Through the years her birthday became entwined with Thanksgiving. One memorable year there were candles on the turkey. Which by my measure was over the top, but as the older sister I tried not to be too upset about it.

So here's to you, Cindy. May you have a great day and many more.

The infamous picture. You can understand my jealousy.

Happy Birthday Steve!

Here a couple of pictures of Steve in his early years.

Steve on our first Christmas in Shawnee in 1951. He got this very cool train set that came with a board.

This picture is also from 1951 in Topeka before we moved. Pictured are our two grandfathers, on the left is E A Burkhardt and on the right is Ray Morgan, Sr. Sitting on EA's lap is Chris and on Ray's is Steve. Chris was born in March of 1947 and Steve in October 1947 so Chris is clearly the older gent.