Life in the 1930’s was changing for Americans. Franklin Delano Roosevelt came into the oval office and started making changes. This young couple expecting their first child had big dreams for their future.
On June 6th a beautiful baby girl was welcomed into their lives. Her father had aspirations of being an architect and wanted to take classes to do so, but life intercepted dreams. Becoming the father of three little girls would greatly alter the timing of life for this family. Like the intense pain he felt on his left side, his abdomen. The doctor being out of practice put heat on the area and sealed his fate.
On February 8th, 1944 this little girl not quite 8 years old as yet lost her father along with her mother and two younger sisters. From that day on she had to be the big sister and her mother’s right hand. Even as she watched her mother get married 5 more times and add two more sisters she would love into her life.
Still… if things had not happened exactly as they had would she have met this Navy man? Could her life have gone in the wrong direction?
This young beauty, the oldest of 5 daughters had to become a woman much quicker than most in order to help her mother. Men found her quite attractive, I’ve seen the photos she was every bit a beautiful woman. While in high school her class took a trip to Washington, D.C. The highlight of the excursion was seeing Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor.
She was actually dating a guy and it was somewhat apparent her mother didn’t like the guy. I don’t remember his name, but it doesn’t matter. His mannerism scared her mother enough, she knew she needed to step in and make her own decisions. This man ended up being a gambler and didn’t want her daughter to go down that road with that man.
So what does a mother do in a case like this; she becomes a scout. She thinks she’s found a man, but still needs to make sure so think of this idea. You are asked out by a man, but your mother goes on the date with the two of you. That’s what happened. Fortunately, this Navy man seemed the right sort for her daughter. He was Honorably Discharged from the Navy in 1954 They were married in June 1955.
As you can see the handsome Navy man took her breath away and they had 5 beautiful children. Personally as the 2nd oldest grandchild I am completely biased on how amazing my grandparents were together and that our family was blessed because she said yes!
Grandma Rosie died in 2020, but not before showing her Irish feistiness to everyone. According to the doctors she should have died much sooner than she did; but she proved them wrong. Even when she was determined to die in Regional Hospital with alarming BUN numbers she lived for a whole year longer. She was ready to reunite with Grandpa, Mike and to meet her Christ.
One of her favorite weekly days was Thursdays. We would eat at Bobe’s in Sullivan and Elaina would know exactly to tell the cook to not over fry her mushrooms. She would also get extra tomatoes on her side salads. Then our weekly ritual was to go to Gina’s for hair day. We all loved those hair days; she lived for them.
Jewells of Thought 
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