Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Melaine's The Grandparent Book

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 Reppel

Do 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

When You Were Growing Up (12 - 20 yrs)

What household chores or jobs did you have to do?

I had outside chores - watering & feeding the chickens, mowing the lawn, bringing in fuel oil for the stove.

Did you get an allowance? How did you usually spend it?

In high school I got $5. I had to pay for bus fare and lunch money.

What did you and your family use for transportation?

I took the bus to school and movies. We did have a car.

How many years of secondary school did you complete?

I graduated from North (Phoenix) High School in 1946.

What parts of school did you like best? What parts did you like least?

I liked being with my friends, not many lived near me, I enjoyed my classes.

Did you play any sports in school?

Yes, volleyball and basketball.

Were you involved in any music or drama activities? Tell about them.

I sang in the church choir. When I was young, I was in one full Theatre production - I played a soldier.

Did you receive any awards or prizes for achievements in athletics, scholarship, etc?

I was in the National Honor Society, also the High School Honor Society.

Were you a member of any clubs? What were they?

I was in YWCA & a French club.

What songs and dances were popular?

This was the era of the jitterbug, Glenn Mill was popular "In the mood".

What kind of clothing did you wear? How is it different than clothes worn by young people today?

We didn't wear revealing clothes or T shirts to school, but jeans have always been popular.

As a teenager, how did you get along with your parents?

OK

At what point did you move away from home? Why and where did you go?

I left home when I got married.

Family Traditions and Celebrations...

As a child, how did you usually celebrate your birthday?

Once in a while I had a party, but otherwise quietly.

What was the best gift you ever got when you were young?

A stamp album, I still collect stamps.

When you got married...

How did you meet grandpa?

We met at the Wesley Foundation, a college age group at the Tempe Methodist Church.

How old were you when you met?

19 

What kinds of things did you like to do together?

We went to the movies and to church activities.

When did you decide to get married? Describe the marriage proposal.

Eli had a house on the property that he owned. When the renter moved out, he asked me if he should rent it out again or should we get married and fix it up for our home.

What did your parent say when you told them?

They wished I would finish college first.

When and where was the wedding?

May 28, 1948 at the Creighton Methodist Church in Phoenix.

How old was each of you then?

I was 20, Eli was 22.

What did you wear?

I wore an Ivory colored satin wedding gown that the make by my Aunt Yvonne Reppel.

What do you remember most about your wedding day?

It was just a whirl wind.

Who was there (in general)?

Members of my church, neighbors and friends of Eli

Did you go on a honeymoon?

No. There was a fire in the dairy a few days before the wedding, and there was a lot of cleanup work to be done.

Where did you first live after you got married?

We stayed with Eli's folks for the first 5 months, until the house was fixed up.

Have you been married more than once?

Yes, my first marriage was to Eli Gates on May 28, 1948. My second marriage was to Andy Corrao on Feb. 14, 1975.

What do we have now that you didn't have then?

Microwaves & Computers.



Big events in your life...

What was your proudest moment?

When I received my diploma from ASU.

Where have you lived as an adult?

I lived in Tempe - first in the Kyrene farm community and now in Tempe proper.

What was the biggest trip you have ever taken as an adult? Where, when and with whom?

Andy and I went to Europe in 1978 for a month - We toured France, Italy, Sicily, and back to France. We visited family there.

What schools did you go to?

Creighton Elementary, Miami High, North High, University of Denver, ASU

What kinds of courses did you take?

Education, Spanish

What honors or educational degrees have you earned?

Graduated with high distinction and member of the Honor Society.

To what organizations have your belonged?

Tempe Junior Woman's Club, 4-H, Farm Bureau, Wesleyan Service Guild

Have you ever been hospitalized?

I had a hysterectomy, breast surgery, and surgery for hemorrhoids.

Are there any illnesses or medical conditions that seem to run in your family?

Allergies, breast cancer and heart disease in the Reppel family.

What was your first full-time job?

I taught school at Rio Vista school in South Phoenix.

What kinds of work have you done For Pay?

Teaching

Volunteer?

Friends of the Library, Church Senior groups XYZ and In-joy.

What have been your favorite hobbies or pastimes?

Stamp Collecting, Needlework & embroidery.

What major inventions have been developed in your lifetime?

Computers, Space flight

What scientific or medical discovery in your lifetime has impressed you most?

Penicillin

When you look back do you have any favorite years? What made them so special?

The years with Andy, 1975 - 1989.

Your Views and Feelings...

What are some of the best books you have ever read?

Tale of Two Cities, Sarum

What do you think is special or unique about our family?

We pull together and back each other up.

What do you most value in a friend?

Loyalty

Who are or were your closest friends?

Arleen Irion, Katy Kraft, Frankie Young, Rose Hess

In times of trouble who or what has helped pull you through?

My faith in God.

What issues or causes have you felt strongly about?

Women's rights

What values or religious beliefs do you hold dear?

My belief in God, that he is always by our side.

What are your feelings about the world today? What concerns your most?

Peace in the Middle East

About your Children...

What are your children's names and when were they born?

For Privacy sake, this section has been omitted.

How did you choose their names?

We just kept going over names until we found one we both liked.

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