After Mom died, I found "The Grandparent Book" by Marcy Jackson in her belongings. It is a book with prompts to solicit information about one's life.Mom selected which prompts she wanted to write about. This post captures the information Mom provided for the prompts.
(I have corrected spelling and grammar and made other slight changes to improve the readability of her responses)
ABOUT YOUR FAMILY ...
From what country or countries did your family emigrate? When was this and where did they settle?
My father's family came from France, He left France in 1919. My mother's ancestors came originally from England, Scotland & Ireland.What were your grandparent' names?
Bertha (Knowles) & Frank McDowell; Melanie (Breitel) & Joseph ReppelDo you remember names of family members before them?
Great-grand parents:
Rhoda (Donegan) & Vincent McDowell
Mary (Black) & Jessie Knowles
Helene (Rohmer) & Franz Josef Reppel
Katharina (Boetsch) & Franz Breitel
What do you know about your grand-parents' early years? Where did they grow up?
My mother's parents lived in Colorado
What do you remember about your grandparents or what stories have you heard about them?
I was fortunate to have had 2 long visits to my maternal grandparents, one when I was 5 and my mother and I were there for Christmas, the second when I was 7 and my sister Edie was born in Colorado.
Were there other relative who were special to you or who played a role in your upbringing?
My Uncle Jess lived with us when I was small. Then I spent time with Aunt Edith & Uncle Don and also Aunt Ruth & Uncle Harold. We also had some family gathering.
What are your parents' names?
Bertha (McDowell) & Robert Reppel
When and where were they born?
My Dad was born in Mussig, France on March 3, 1900.
My Mother was born in Colorado on January 9, 1906
What was your mother's maiden name?
McDowell
What do you remember most about your mother from your childhood.
She was always there for us. I remember her making new dresses for school. She had a good sense of humor. She played cards with Katy & I. My Dad was gone a lot, but mom Mom was quite capable.
What do you remember most about your father?
He worked hard. It was a hard job. Sometimes I would go with him when Mom couldn't. He loved to garden.
What special traits did you value most about your mother and father?
My father's work ethic - very protective of us.
My mother's thoughtfulness and humor.
What work did your parents do?
My Dad was a structural and reinforcing steel contractor.
My mother was a bookkeeper. She kept the books for the company until it grew too much. She then oversaw the bookkeeper.
What is your birth date?
May 9, 1928
Where were you born?
Phoenix, Arizona
Were you born in a hospital or at home?
Good Samaritan Hospital then called Deaconess Hospital
What is your full name and how was it chosen? Does it have a special meaning?
Bertha Melaine - I was named after my 2 grandmothers but Dad was a poor speller and misspelled Melaine, It should have been Melanie.
Who in your family do you most look like?
Probably my Mom, but I do look a lot like Dad.
How many brothers and sisters did you have? (List them in the order they were born and include children who many have died early in life or at birth)
Edith Joy
Roberta Lee
Where did you fit among them?
I was the oldest
To whom did you feel closest?
Both of my sisters
How did you spend your time together?
We played outside using imaginary guns to play soldiers, climbed trees
Did you ever take trips or vacations with your family? Where did you go? Tell about a favorite one.
We didn't have money for trips, but when my grandparents had their 50th anniversary, we all went. I went with my parents, Elaine was little.
Was another language besides English spoken in your home?
No
Did your family attend a church or synagogue? Was religion an important part of your family life?
We attended Creighton Methodist Church, but no my Dad until after my Mother died, God works in mysterious ways.
Did your family have enough money? Was it ever a concern for you?
Growing up during the great depression, we pinched pennies, but it didn't bother me as my friends were in the same boat.
What were one or two of the worst times in your family like?
When my mother was young (after I was born), she had health problems and had surgery on a goiter. My Dad and Uncle Jess took care of me a lot. I was in overall, It bothered my Mom, but it was easier for them.
What were one or two of the best times like?
One time was when we were all over at my Aunt Ruth & Uncle Harold's. My Dad had work there. My folks were in the spare bedroom & Bobbie was with them. Edie and I slept on a vouch & 2 chairs. Uncle Jess slept on a cot in the hallway. The house was small but we so enjoyed being together. We had no family in Phoenix, so that was a great time.
The next page had a Family Tree chart that Mom completed as shown to the right.
When You Were Little (2 - 12 yrs)
Where did you live? What do you remember most about your home(s)?
We lived in Phoenix on East McDowell Road. It was a small frame house with no inside bathroom.Describe what it was like where you grew up. How it that place different now?
It was in the country. Around us the lots were 1 1/2 acres. We had sheep in the back pasture, and a cow when I was young.Did you have any nicknames? What were they and did like or dislike them?
Only my Dad called me Lanie.Did you have any pets? Tell us about them.
We had a series of dogs.
What did you do for fun? Describe your favorite toy or games.
We played all kinds of game. In the summer we played Monopoly for hours.
What is your first memory going back as far as you can?
My first memory was when I was 2 or so. My Mom was in the hospital and my Dad left me at a friend's house. I can remember seeing him drive off. They tell me I stopped crying shortly.
Where you ever really sick?
When I was 7, I got appendicitis (Right after Christmas). Then when it was time to operate, I got pneumonia. They weren't sure I was going to get over this, but I did.
What do you remember about the grammar school you attended? How did you get there?
I went 8 years to the same school, Creighton Elementary. It had an auditorium and basement where we ate lunch. It's gone now. I walked to school, about 3/4 mile.
Did you have any favorite books or stories?
I read all of Alcott's books when I was 9 or 10.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a foreign language translator, but changed my mind in college.
What did your parents want you to do or be?
They wanted me to get a college degree.
Do you remember how much things cost?
Bread - 10¢
Movies - 10¢ on Saturday
Gasoline - 5 gal./ $1.00
Stamps - 3¢ for a letter
Movies - 10¢ on Saturday
Gasoline - 5 gal./ $1.00
Stamps - 3¢ for a letter
