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| Mary Catherine Mc Grane |
"I do recall (I,ve been told) that she came here as a young colleen and worked as a domestic in Cambridge for a family named Doyle. In those days,in order to enter this country you had to have employment guarenteed, and many Irish households who could afford it, hired these emigres.
My father met her at a kitchen "feish", (sp)which was a party allowed by the employers to take place from time to time for the benefit of the help. They were married at St John's church on Mass. Ave. in Cambridge in 1910 or 1911. The picture is of my sister Mary who was the first born on St Patricks day in 1912.
My earliest recollection was of feeling so sad at seeing her cry for the first time when she got a letter from home telling of the death of someone. I remember her hugging me and telling me not to cry. She was very devout and went to early Mass daily as often as she could.I also remember going with her on occasion when I suppose there was no one to look after me. It was alkways a thrill to be out in the dark of early morning, and a bit of a disappointment on leaving Mass to find dawn had broken.
She was an excellent cook, and baker.When the brothers were away at CCC camp she baked all day Saturday baking beans and brown bread, regular bread, pies, and doughnuts to send to the boys. The old black iron stove was roaring all the time, it seems and there was usually potatoes baking in the back of the oven.
Even through the depression,with eight children and a husband to feed she always managed to make good meals. We were fortunate that my father went to work as a lineman for the N.Y. New Haven and Hartford RR. and we were never on welfare which was so unusual in those days.
I remember my FirstCommunion, and her exitement in dressing me in the outfit that we wore on that occasion. She was a loving person and did not tolerate any reference to"Niggers" etc ,which young boys said all the time. By the same token, my father never allowed my brothers to swear in the house in deference to her and my sisters.
My brothers and sisters always brought people home at various times and every one seemed to love "MA". She became seriously sick, and was hospitalized. Of course I never knew how seriously. I remember her coming home on a Sunday, and being well dressed and I was so exited to see her again, and getting what would be a last hug and kiss, though I didn't know it at the time.
She died in August of 1938 ,and the first years without her were difficult indeed. What few memories I have are of gentle love, a soft Donegal accent, furious industry, she knitted and crochetted constantly. We were never without mittens,hats and scarves, and no furniture was without doilies or dresser scarves."
What lovely but poignant memories Bill has of his mother.
Bill refers to CCC camp in his memories above. He later explained what CCC camp was:
"CCC, stands for Civilian Conservation Corps, an organization started by the Roosevelt Administration which provided work for young men in the forests and conservation areas, and doing two great things at once. Providing work for young men in a military atmosphere while being the first green workers. They lived in barracks and camps like they were in the army but doing forestry work instead of fighting. Most of the young men loved it and it helped bring the country out of the great depression. All my brothers were in it."
