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.    

MOYA GREENE GREETS THE QUEEN

Today is the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. Celebrations began yesterday in Windsor when Her Majesty opened a new Bandstand, did one of her usual walkabouts, and visited the Royal Mail Sorting Office there.  To mark the Queen's special Birthday, the name of the Windsor Sorting Office has been renamed "Queen Elizabeth Delivery Office".

Perhaps some of you are wondering what all of this has to do with St Patrick's Convent School as it is highly unlikely that Her Majesty is  a Graduate of that well loved institution.  I will explain!

The Chief Executive Officer of Royal Mail is none other than Moya Greene who is a former pupil of St Patrick's Convent School and many of you have been her classmates and sung in choirs with her. Moya is the first woman and the first non-Briton to head Royal Mail, the United Kingdom's state owned postal service.


Moya officially welcomed Her Majesty to Windsor Sorting Office and escorted her on a tour.   Here are some photos from yesterday's celebration.

Here is one last picture of Moya.  It was sent to us by Norma Peddle Bulger. Norma tells us that it was taken in 1969 and identifies the "tall girl in the dark rimmed glasses" as her sister, Janet Peddle.  By coincidence, the blonde girl on Janet's right is, yes, you guessed it, Moya Greene.  Thanks for the picture Norma. 

The girl in the dark rimmed glasses is Janet Peddle and to Janet's right is a young Moya Greene in her days with St Patrick's Convent Award Winning Choir.

The Royal Mail had its beginning with King Henry VIII.  His father, the parsimonious Henry VII, had awarded John Cabot a pension of £10 for the discovery of the "new found land". What a surprise he'd get if he could only know that, 500 years later, The Royal Mail is in the capable hands of a daughter of that wonderful Newfoundland!  Well done Moya!

HAPPY 90th BIRTHDAY, YOUR MAJESTY