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

WEST END IN DAYS GONE BY

I have received the most wonderful photo from Marina Carew Aita!  It is an old picture of our neck of the woods, the West End, in all its glory. Marina is a school mate of the late Shirley Hipditch Ellizey.  Marina and several other school friends of Shirley’s recently attended a get together hosted in Shirley’s memory by her family.

Marina said, “This photo was sent to me by Loretta Dawson O’Toole from the West End who obtained it from a friend of hers. Shirley’s family was delighted to receive it.  Thanks again, Loretta.”

Marina went on to say that the photo shows the vicinity where Shirley grew up, Galgay’s Range, which is behind the white building opposite the trestle where Shirley regularly walked as a young girl.

 

DEAR OLD WEST END

Marina, this photo will bring tears to the eyes of so many St Patrick’s girls of a certain age. Galgay’s Range, that trestle, and the old Railway buildings, are embedded in fond memories of years gone by!  Thank you so very much, Marina, for sharing this gem with us.

FIRST GRADE 12 GRADUATES, 1984

Janet Rumsey has sent us some very nice photos.  She also had a little bit of interesting information regarding the girls in the two classes.  They were actually "history makers"!  

Thanks very much Janet.  Your support is greatly appreciated and we would be delighted to receive anything else you might like to share.

This is what Janet said.

"Check out the girls of St. Patrick’s. We were in grade 7 and graduated as first grade 12 class of 1984."

Here are Janet's pictures.

Miss P Laidley's Grade 7 Class

Mrs A Meaney's Grade 7 Class

GRADE 2, 1967

This picture was given to us by my lovely niece, Susan McAllister.  The year is 1967 and it is a Grade 2 Class, St Patrick's Primary School.  The teacher was Miss J Sears.  It's too bad Miss Sears isn't in the photo with the class. Don't they all look so sweet?

Grade 2, 1967

ROW 1, L-R
Susan Power, Jacinta Mackey, Josephine Dalton, Karen Baird, Marie O'Brien, Joan?, Terri Dicks, Janet Pink, Judy McCarthy, Louise Kavanaugh, Cathy Mackey, Margo Walsh
ROW 2, L-R
Lynn Martin, ?, Paulette ?, Joan Tracey, Susan Emberley, Rachel Reid, Sandra Doyle, Kathy Stone, Darlene Horwood, Jeanette Power, Tina O'Brien, Beverley O'Keefe
ROW 3, L-R
Janet Power, ?, Maureen O'Brien, Anita Hall, Marylou Redmond, Annette Power, Gertrude Bruce, Trudy Collins, Sylvia Broderick, Susan McAllister, Colleen ?, ?

If you are on this picture and you can add a name or two, I would be happy to hear from you.

****Thanks to Jeanette Power Woodman and Rhonda Coleman, we have two more  names to add.  Jeanette Power is the little cutie sitting third right in the middle row.  Rhonda informed us that Sylvia Broderick is fourth right in the back row.  Sadly, Sylvia passed away on 17 July 2018.  Thank you Jeanette and Rhonda for your input.

I have now added more names. Susan has sent us most of the names and she said "please feel free to correct her" if her memory has deceived  her on any.

Thanks Susan.  This is a beautiful picture and I am delighted to post it here.

If anyone else has a picture or a memory that you would like to share, please send it along to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and I will gladly post it for your schoolmates to enjoy. 

SHIRLEY HIPDITCH ELLZEY

It gives me a lot of pleasure to post this article by Barbara Sweet of the Telegram.  It tells a great story of a loving and devoted family, of a St Patrick's Girl who at the age of thirteen went to Belvedere Orphanage then, at 17 moved to the U S A.  I think this story will inspire and touch you.

"U.S. family returns mother’s ashes to St. John’s

‘She lived outside the norm and was a rule breaker’

Shirley Hipditch Ellzey never made it back to St. John’s and the province she left behind to escape a hard early life, but this month her American family made the journey for her.

Daughter Jeannine Cordero and husband David Kolin

The day she died, Hipditch Ellzey expressed a wish to be returned to St. John’s, said her daughter Jeannine Cordero of Chicago, Ill.

They scattered her ashes at sea close to St. John’s harbour.

The journey had her children and two of her grandchildren not only tracing Ellzey’s girlhood footsteps and family history but meeting people face to face with whom they’d bonded with by distance, in part due to a Telegram story on Ellzey’s passing in January 2017.

George Ellzey

“We tried to get her back here at one point in time but there were a lot of ghosts here,” said Cordero, the eldest of her three children.

“In the end, she was very curious about what happened to a lot of people but she had experienced a lot of hard times here.”

Despite her hard times, she remained in love with her former home and got to see it by computer through a Google Streetview Cordero showed her.

Some of the people the family connected with turned up at a gathering Sunday at YellowBelly Brewery in St. John’s.

“We’re kind of late meeting many relatives. We have found people who remembered mom…. through them we got a feel for what it was like back then.,” Cordero said.

Patsy McCormack of Witless Bay, related to Hipditch Ellzey through marriage, hosted the family at a Jigg’s dinner in Witless Bay last week. They got a walking tour of the old west end of St. John’s — where Hipditch Ellzey spent her early childhood around Victoria Park — from Marina Aita.

Sunday night, Aita and Doreen Heffernan recalled Hipditch Ellzey as a quiet girl, with beautiful, auburn hair. The kids of all ages from the neighbourhood would walk to school, branching off to their schools.

Friends, Reuben Warren, Doreen Heffernan and Marina Aita

After Hipditch Ellzey went in Belvedere orphanage, they lost touch with her until they read about her life and passing and connected with Cordero. They came from a generation without email, Facebook or ways to instantly connect with friends who moved away. 

Aita noted many old friends have since passed, or are in long-term care homes.

Hipditch Ellzey had left St. John’s for the U.S. in 1953 after a stint in the former Belvedere girls orphanage — her father had died in 1940 when she was five and her mother in 1949 when Ellzey was 13. By then Ellzey was already in Belvedere as her mother had tuberculosis. Two siblings by her mother’s second marriage were adopted by relatives.

In the U.S., she first became a caregiver for a family in Takoma Park, Maryland, and went on to an accomplished life.

“It’s great after so many years to see the lovely family and what a nice life she had. She really had an amazing life all that she accomplished — it was wonderful,” Heffernan said.

Reuben Warren was a child when he met a young teenage Ellzey through older friends.

“She was a very, very impressive person. It stuck with me until I read (The Telegram) article.

“I didn’t know what happened to her down through the years.”

Her son George Ellzey of Denver, Colo., and daughter Joy Pilon of Williamsport, Pa., along with Cordero and her husband David Kolin, looked into family history, visited the site of the former orphanage and got to put Hipditch Ellzey’s memories she shared with them in perspective.

Daughter, Joy Pilon

“We were chasing a lot of her stories down,” said Kolin.

“Things are familiar based on the stuff Shirley would talk about. They were coming to life.”

“It’s nice — maybe there are some regrets of never doing it when we were younger and she was still here,” Pilon said. “It’s a beautiful place. I am glad we are getting to see it.”

“This was a little bit of closure,” said George Ellzey.

“It’s certainly a fascinating place.”

Granddaughter Katherine Kolin, a student at Boston University, said the trip explains a lot of the mystery of her grandmother.

Grandchildren Katherine & Yale Kolin

The trip is mostly for mom and her siblings. I am here as moral support,” she said.  “And because I am interested in the history of the place and family history.
… I don’t think anyone was expecting the kind of response we got thanks to (the Telegram),” she said.

“I think that’s really amazing. To see my mom be determined to (return her mother’s ashes here and reach out) is really outstanding. The hospitality and generosity of the people here is unmatched compared to any other place I have been in my life. I think it is marvelous.”

Katherine Kolin said she’s learned more about her grandmother because she shared little of her early struggles directly with them, though she did tell of it to her children.

“The character of my grandmother has become rounded out in my mind. That’s important. I loved her. She was my grandmother but so much makes sense now that didn’t before,” she said.

“She lived outside the norm and was a rule breaker. She was a really fiery person. And she made a lot of really, really hard decisions in my life.”

Katherine also found St. John’s the magical place her mother described despite her early rough start.

“I would certainly love to come back,” said her brother, Yale.

Some of the people who turned up were women Cordero found through a Facebook page for former Belvedere orphanage residents.

Even though some did not know Hipditch Ellzey personally, they wanted to help the family understand what the orphanage was like.

Hipditch Ellzey, who once worked as a housekeeper for famed Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider, was 81 when she died of breast cancer.

After she left Newfoundland and Labrador at 17 for the U.S., she eventually married a Colombian-born doctor and spent some time in Mexico and her husband’s native country before divorcing and returning to the U.S. with her then young daughter, Cordero.

Hipditch Ellzey later married a serviceman and had two more children — George Ellzey and Joy Pilon. Hipditch Ellzey trained as a dental assistant and worked for a time with two prominent Maryland orthodontists who treated Washington, D.C., politicians.

She loved working for the Snider family in Pennsylvania and travelled frequently with them.

barbara.sweet@thetelegram.com