HAPPY BIRTHDAY MRS MALLARD

On Saturday, 27^th October, the Seniors Resource Centre on Bennett Avenue was aglow with happiness. A wonderful lady, Mrs Helen Mallard, was celebrating her 90^th Birthday with family and friends.

The Birthday Girl

Helen Gushue was born on 24^th October 1928.  Helen had two older sisters, Kay and Ann.  A brother, Bill, came later to complete the family.  The Gushues were good, hard working people with strong faith in God. This faith was instilled into Helen and she has cherished it all her life.

Eventually, Helen met and married Tom Mallard. They were exceptional parents and mentors to their thirteen children who all grew up to be a credit to Helen and Tom.  In their own individual ways, Don, Tish, Sue, Liz, Lou, Tom, Jim, John, Cathy, Brenda, Kenny, Geri and Chrissy all brought great joy to their parents. Sadly, Kenny passed away at a young age.  He left a lot of happy memories but also a sad void in the Mallard family.

All the Mallard daughters are graduates of St Patrick’s Convent Schools.  They are actually third generation ‘St Patrick’s Girls’ because their dear mother, Helen Gushue Mallard, and their grandmother, Mary Monica (Molly) Flynn Gushue, also attended St Patrick's Convent Schools! 

Helen and Tom Mallard's children are talented musicians and singers and Lou is also a published poet.  Several of her lovely poems have been featured in other posts on this blog and today we are delighted to post Lou's touching tribute to her mother. 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS MALLARD

“MOM’S 90^th BIRTHDAY

The last precious girl, Helen, was born to Nan and Pop Gushue on October 24 1928.

Kay and Ann were older, Bill was the youngest,

Born to parents with astounding faith.

Their words would state, God plans our lives

And it was planned before you were born

He sees the whole picture from a long way off,

With free will, you live, love and learn.

Mom grew up and married our gentle Dad, Tom.

As they had struggles but very happy years,

God blessed them with thirteen children,

With their faith, God calmed their fears.

Mom and Dad were so inspiring

They’d take the good times with the bad,

They both would say be thankful for what you are given

And doubly thankful for all you have.

As our family grew older, we were struck with sorrow

God had plans for Ev, Gerald, Ken and Dad.

Gerald not a brother but the DNA so close

This traumatic time made both families’ hearts so sad.

Our generation of friends all call you Mom

You are so loved for your funny, witty way,

They say they are orphans as their parents are gone to God

They want you to forever stay.

We are so blessed you are celebrating your 90^th year

Thirty grandchildren, and great-grandchildren galore,

Look at what you and Dad gave to this world,

Both your lives are stamped on Heaven’s door.

God shines His light down for all our protection,

Lessons ringing in our minds to love and share each day,

Dad’s looking down in spirit with his special love for you,

 Through your faith, Dad’s love is just a breath away.

Happy 90^th Birthday Mom.

We love you,

Lulu, Families and Friends”

Mrs Helen Mallard, you are a very special lady. I am certain that St Patrick’s Girls everywhere are pleased and proud to send their best wishes to you, a fellow “St Patrick’s Girl”, on this happy occasion.  May God bless you and grant you many more years to enjoy your lovely family.

A very big “Thank You” to Lou for sharing with us.    

ESCAPE FROM HURRICANE FLORENCE

We are all aware of the hurricane that hit the USA last month.  In September, Hurricane Florence brought devastation to the Carolinas, causing about $13 billion in damages and, more tragically, 53 fatalities. Two St Patrick’s Graduates, Teri HEALEY Evans and her sister, Betty HEALEY Brown, were caught up in this frightening ordeal.  Teri has shared some photos and her story with us.  I will let Teri tell it.  

“I had gone to beautiful North Carolina on July 25 to spend some time with my sister Betty and her husband, Billy.  Early in September we were hearing on the news that a massive hurricane was forming and that it looked as if the eye was going to make landfall in Wilmington, NC.  That was alarming because the city of Wilmington was only about 25 minutes away from where Betty lived in a lovely little town called Burgaw. Her home was situated along Cape Fear River.

Well the weatherman was right, it was heading our way. We had to evacuate because the Cape Fear would indeed flood and all the roads would wash out.  Not to mention all the trees that would fall due to high winds, making any chance of the roads being passable.   To give you an idea of the type of home Betty had I can describe it as a bungalow built on 12 foot pilings.  Because it was up so high (12 foot off the ground) we never in a million years thought that the river would rise that far as to get in to the main house, it had never before. So before evacuating we only secured the grounds and anything at ground level.  Unfortunately Mother Nature had different plans for it.  The River rose 25+ feet, meaning 13 ft or more of water got into their beautiful home and destroyed it and all the contents.  The River stayed that high for over a week ruining everything.  Thankfully, we had evacuated and were safe.

I have attached a few photos for you to see.

The first photo is a sort of 'before' picture (Betty and 
Billy hosted a wedding at their property on July 28th)

The second is of the river beginning to rise.  

The third photo shows the River half way up the house.

 (After this it was too dangerous to go there by boat anymore)

The fourth is a photo of the Restaurant we often ate at which was

 only one mile from Betty's house.  All you can see is the roof.

And sadly, these photos only show a very small fraction of the devastation caused by Florence.  Betty and I have many, many friends there who have also lost everything.  I've been home since October 16 and I still can't get some of the horrible destruction our of my mind.  It was just like a war zone when I left.

Betty and Billy have found temporary housing and do plan to rebuild but that could take up to a year to get everything back to a livable state.  However, they are safe and count their blessings everyday.  As do I now to be living in beautiful Newfoundland!"

Thank you for this account Teri.  It must have been terrible for all of you.  I can understand why you are glad to be back in "beautiful Newfoundland".  There are worse things than "rain, drizzle and fog"!

THE INTREPID TERESA LAWRENCE

We have to thank Teri Healey Evans for this post.  Teri has sent us photos and a story about a very extraordinary lady, her Aunt Teresa Lawrence.  

Teri's Aunt Teresa Lawrence

While Teri and her sisters are all graduates of St Patrick’s Convent Schools, Mrs Lawrence isn’t. However, her place of birth more than earns her a place on  St Patrick’s School Blog.  

Teresa was born in Fermeuse, where Mother Bernard Kirwan, the founder of the Presentation Congregation in Newfoundland, rests peacefully in that beautiful spot on the Southern Shore.  In September 1853, three years before our own St Patrick’s Convent, Mother Bernard established a Convent at Admirals Cove, Fermeuse.  She was its Superior until her death in February 1857. Admiral’s Cove was named for the English Fishing Admirals who frequented the harbour from the 1700s. In 1960 the name was officially changed to ‘Port Kirwan’ in Mother Bernard’s honour.

Grave of Mother Bernard Kirwan

Anyway, Teresa is Teri’s Aunt, her mother’s sister, and she is one amazing lady!  At the age of 80 years Teresa para sailed.  Then, at the age of 85, she decided she would have a go at zip lining.  Last Saturday, 13 October, 90 year old Aunt Teresa went sky diving! What is next on your Bucket List?

Almost Ready

This is it!

Teresa Lawrence, you are truly an inspirational woman and we congratulate and commend you.  May God bless you with many more years of good health and thrilling adventures.  

The Intrepid Teresa Lawrence