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| A Page from Bobby's Babybook |
Your
parents, Karl and Mary (“Aggie”), offered a place for B & Bonnie to
live in their own home in
the midst of a very serious housing shortage. Quickly becoming friends,
your folks generously offered their help,
hearts and possessions…without your mom's sewing machine, Bonnie would have
been
hand-sewing the entire time she was in New Berlin! Your mom and aunt
provided Bonnie with her first maternity clothes for which I'm sure she
was very grateful! Bonnie and your mom had many interests in common, particularly literature and politics, and Bonnie was especially inspired by your mom's passion for writing. As a newcomer to the College, B was warmly welcomed by your dad and they enjoyed each others company while sharing rides to work, helping to watch the kids and working on the house together. I love your dad's chosen Shakespeare quote under his yearbook photo, "As upright as a cedar." I know your parents' home was
a happy household, active already with the 2 young children and more so with another baby
when my brother arrived. While B & Bonnie would have loved
their own home as they started a family, they enjoyed their time in yours and loved feeling a part of the family. Many, many thanks for writing!
Cathy shares:
My father grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and my
mother grew up in Elmira, New York, and Columbus, Ohio. They met at the
University of Wisconsin in Madison while they were both studying there, and
were both involved in theater. They were married in 1939.
After World War II, during which my father was stationed in France and my
mother lived with her parents in Lakeville, Connecticut, they settled in East
Berlin, Connecticut. My father was the director of the Evening
Division at Central Connecticut State College (now University), and later also
became the Director of the Summer Session. Sailing and gardening were two
of his great loves. In addition to writing plays (you mentioned Of All the Years, her Christmas play
that was published) and directing local theater, my mother was actively
involved as a Girl Scout leader, School Board member, in church life
(Berlin Congregational Church), and countless other civic affairs and
initiatives. Mary was a lifelong activist… interested in local and
national politics she worked tirelessly for peace and justice, especially
through the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She loved
literature and theater, was a poet and was an award-winning playwright.
She loved gardening and travel as well. There are four of us girls.
My dad died in 1990, and my mom in 2005.
NOTE from Ann: Use this link for the history of the WILPF: http://wilpf.org/US_WILPF
And for a great article about Mary: http://articles.courant.com/2006-01-01/features/0512300438_1_karl-hess-summer-school-world-peace
Cathy shares:
My father grew up in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and my
mother grew up in Elmira, New York, and Columbus, Ohio. They met at the
University of Wisconsin in Madison while they were both studying there, and
were both involved in theater. They were married in 1939.
After World War II, during which my father was stationed in France and my
mother lived with her parents in Lakeville, Connecticut, they settled in East
Berlin, Connecticut. My father was the director of the Evening
Division at Central Connecticut State College (now University), and later also
became the Director of the Summer Session. Sailing and gardening were two
of his great loves. In addition to writing plays (you mentioned Of All the Years, her Christmas play
that was published) and directing local theater, my mother was actively
involved as a Girl Scout leader, School Board member, in church life
(Berlin Congregational Church), and countless other civic affairs and
initiatives. Mary was a lifelong activist… interested in local and
national politics she worked tirelessly for peace and justice, especially
through the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. She loved
literature and theater, was a poet and was an award-winning playwright.
She loved gardening and travel as well. There are four of us girls.
My dad died in 1990, and my mom in 2005. And for a great article about Mary: http://articles.courant.com/2006-01-01/features/0512300438_1_karl-hess-summer-school-world-peace
What a fascinating post - and woman! Mary lead a very accomplished life and sounds like she would have been a lovely, interesting person to have as a friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much for your recent blog comment, dear Ann, I really appreciate it and hope you have a gorgeous week!
♥ Jessica