PICTURES OF ST PATRICK'S, SCHOOL AND CHURCH

I have two interesting pictures to post today; one is of St Patrick’s Convent School and the other is of St Patrick’s Church.

The first picture is of St Patrick’s Convent School, Patrick Street.  It comes to us courtesy of LEN EDISON. 

In November last year Len sent us the picture with this note: “My son, Kevin, was at a flea market in Winnipeg this weekend and found this framed picture on sale for $6.  He bought it.”   

“WINNIPEG”!  How fascinating is that? 

We don’t know the provenance of the picture so if anyone out there can shed any light on it, we would be obliged if you would share with us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com.

 

Kevin's picture

Our second picture was kindly sent to us by KIM BARRETT-DOYLE.  It is another of KAY SIMMS McCORMACK'S beautiful sketches.  Back in October 2013, we posted Kay’s lovely sketch of St Patrick’s Convent School, Deanery Ave (link here).  Sadly, Kay died in January 2016 and Kim, Kay’s niece, sent us this picture and said, “She was an amazing person and a very special Aunt.  Here is a picture she gave us all of St Patrick’s Church.”

 

SKETCH BY KIM'S AUNT, KAY McCORMACK

Thank you Len Edison and Kim Barrett- Doyle for sharing these delightful pictures with us.  We tip our hats to Len's son, Kevin, for having the acumen to buy the picture of the School!  You have good taste, Kevin!

DRAWN FROM MEMORY

This post will bring back some memories for a lot of people.  I am posting a  sketch of St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue.  Many of us were pupils at this school, which was built as a memorial to the boys and men of St Patrick's Parish who gave their lives in WWI.     This beautiful drawing was done, from memory,  by a former pupil of St Patrick's, Kay Simms McCormack .

One of eleven children, Kay Simms was born in 1932 to Bill and Louise Simms, prominent and well respected members of St Patrick's Parish.  Many will recall the concerts at which the dancers and singers were accompanied on the piano by Mrs  Simms.  In the 1930s and 1940s Kay and her three sisters, Dot, Betty and Jennie, all attended St Patrick's Convent School.  One of Kay's brothers, Ray, also attended St Patrick's where he took Commercial.  It seems the norm that friendships forged as children at St Patrick's last a lifetime. Kay is no exception as she still cherishes the friendships and keeps in contact with some of her school friends. 

A SKETCH OF THE DEANERY AVENUE SCHOOL,
DONE FROM MEMORY BY KAY McCORMACK

Kay loves to sketch but her niece, Betty Simms,  tells me that she is also a very talented painter.  For this lovely additiion to our School Blog I am very grateful to my good friend Betty Simms and to her amazing Aunt, Kay Simms McCormack.  Long may you continue to paint and sketch, Kay, and we would be delighted to see more of your work.  Thanks very much and may God bless you.