My Mother...Helen Mary...was born to Florence and Hugh...
In September 1921...in a small town called Port Hope,Ontario...
She was an only child...as her father died when she was only 3 months old...
The photo above of him holding her on her Christening day...
Is the only picture I have of them together...
I included a few pictures of Florence and Hugh...[grandparents]
Wasn't he just so handsome??? And...My Mom is the spitting image of her Mother...
The Christening gown was used by my 3 children, when they were baptized...
I loaned it to my late brother's wife, for their son's Christening, and unfortunately it was "lost"...:o(
My Mom grew up in Port Hope...
She...her Mother and Grandmother had a beautiful Victorian home there...
Lovely gardens...secret back staircases...
I loved it as a young child...I never knew my Grandmother...she passed away when my Mom was 19...but the house stayed with the family, as there was a cousin that my Mom grew up with...and OLD Grandmothers!!!
Branksome Hall...
A very exclusive girls school...she was a Prefect there and was very active on the swim team...
I also attended Branksome Hall...but as a day student...it was a very long commute for me, as the Toronto subway systems were not built yet...and it was Streetcar all the way!
We wore Kilts...cream shirts and plaid ties...with black oxford shoes of course!!
When my Mom went there, it was more of a Midi blouse...quite sharp!!
After graduating from Branksome Hall....she studied Nursing at The Wellesley School of Nursing...
It is still there in Toronto...now as part of Ryerson University...
And graduated from there in 1940...
Her Mom had passed shortly before her graduation...:o(
She nursed in Toronto for a while...
And then joined the Army, and was stationed in Camp Borden...
Just north of Toronto... She had a lot of fun up there...tons of pics of that!!
After returning to Toronto...
She actually met my Dad...who was a patient...and the rest is History!
Here are my beautiful parents...in Las Vegas...MANY years ago...
Aren't they a snappy couple??
My Dad passed away in 1971...he was 67, Mom was 50...I was 21...
She remarried a few years later...and was married for 26 years when she died...
I was always thankful that she did not spend her life alone...
She adored her grandchildren...and especially mine!! of course...hahaha!!
My Dad would have loved the grandchildren as well...
But...I know they both are looking down...and are so pleased...
And...oh my gosh...Miss V would be so much fun for them...♥️
I did not intend for this to be a sad post...
I wanted to celebrate my Mom's life...I miss her every day...
Just to be able to talk things over would be wonderful...
She was always so understanding of me...I do believe we had a special bond...
I hope some day my daughters and granddaughter will feel the same for me...
Happy Mother's Day Mom...love you...
And to all of you Mothers...
Who work so hard at maintaining their families...
My hat goes off to all of you...
You are a very special bunch...indeed...
**************
For all of you who asked for an update...
Boyfriend home safe and sound late last evening...quite a memorable trip...
We are just leaving for the cottage...have a wonderful weekend...
And "Happy Mothers Day To All".....
Cheers! :o)
linda ♥️
Wonderful memories of your Mom. I just love old photos. So glad you shared them today. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely tribute:)♥
ReplyDeleteMy girls were christened in family gowns also..not my grandsons..they were old enough to wear clothes:)
Back then we did it as soon as possible..
So many memories of days gone by..
Enjoy the weekend and that cute cottage:)
What an absolutely beautiful and moving tribute to your mom, grandparents and the love and history in those pictures. What a legacy. Thanks so much Linda for sharing this peek into your life. Happy Mother's Day dear. Love and Hugs.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful post,, I'm still smiling,,
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Linda . . . I loved meeting your family . . .
ReplyDeleteMost especially your mom . . .
Yes, your mom would have loved Miss V too . . .
I have been so melancholy theses past days . . .
I would love being with my mom tomorrow.
Twenty years of missing her . . .
Happy Mother's Day Linda . . .
Lovely, lovely post . . .
(Mistakes in my comment, I had to correct. So deleted and started again!)
Oh, Linda. You lost your mom when you were so young. That is sad.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you on Mother's day!
Wonderful memories of your mom. I'm so glad you have photos to share with your children and Miss V. They help preserve those memories.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, Linda. Happy Mother's Day to you!
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful tribute to your beloved mother and parents and grandparents both.
ReplyDeletemy own mother was born in 1921 too.
and i lost her far too early as you know. but they stay in our hearts always.
your mother's face is so dear.
love and hugs to you. and a happy mothers day too! xo♥
Oh Linda, what a lovely post, and wonderful tribute to your mother. She was three years younger than mine! You have some great old pictures to share. Sad you lost your Dad so young, but so nice your mother found a new companion in her life. Happy Mother's Day, and a great time at the cottage. x
ReplyDeletea lovely tribute - Happy Mother's day
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute to your Mom and ancestors, and so nice you have and are sharing this interesting information ~ thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was Hazel, and her Mum told her she came from under a Hazel bush, a bush . . . lol . . hence the name! Either that or that the King brought her . . lol . . They were shy of these things at that time . . on matters of the birds and bees and the facts of life.
I loved her so much, as well as my Dad, Gordon. I am sure we shall meet our departed loved ones again one day. I am also sure they would be as proud as punch with how we are managing and all the additions of new generations since their passing, carrying their everlasting genes.
Your Mom loves Miss V to bits, and your children, and you . . . :)
And wishing you a Happy Mother's Day as well . . :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your mom! Happy Mother's Day to you, Linda. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteP.S - I've been to Port Hope. My husband has family there.
DeleteA wonderful tribute to your Mom! I enjoyed this post very much, learning more of your family history.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post of your mom! Loved seeing the old photos. It's always sad when our loved ones leave us too soon. I actually miss my mother-in-law. Oh, I'd love to talk some things over with her! I'm happy you have good memories of your mother....she sounds like she was a wonderful person! Happy Mother's Day! Hope you're having a lovely weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda - It's the phone calls and the chats over tea that I miss the most, I think. That steady shoulder to lean on. Loved all the old black and whites. Aren't they so precious now. Your tribute to your mom was very sweet. Hope you are having a nice Mother's Day. xo
ReplyDelete**************Thanks Everyone!************
ReplyDeleteHope you all had a wonderful Mothers Day...
I sure did!!
I enjoyed putting this post together...My Mom died nearly 18 years ago...miss her constantly...
Have a great week!
What a wonderful post Linda! I love all the old photos. I think Miss V looks a lot like your mother in that childhood photo of her in the white dress. Do you think so? Beautiful memories. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI do! The round face....♥️
DeleteAw, such a touching post. Not sad at all - just very moving. How great to have those precious photographs. I am blessed to still have my folks. Was there for Mother's Day and we had a lovely visit. Hope you had a great day, too! xox
ReplyDelete