Today is August 9th, my mother's birthday. If she were alive on earth with us today she would be celebrating her 101st birthday. Alas, we lost her when she was a mere 84, a woman young of heart, great of spirit who loved her family. She was a beautiful woman. From the very beginning she was a beautiful baby who lived happily with her family on Prince Edward Island.
This photo of my mother, Eva Ruby Austin, was taken on P.E.I. in the early 1900's.
Her parents, my grandparents, I met only once when I was the age of five.
In the early years my great-grandfather was a blacksmith and he was the proud owner of his business which in later years was converted into a car mechanic's shop
by my grandfather.
Grandad's Blacksmith Shop, Tryon, P.E.I.
I'm told that in these early years my grandparents worked very hard and provided a stable, loving home for their children. My mother was one of many children.
My mother (or possibly her sister, my Aunt Angie) on her mother's knee
in the kitchen
of their home in approximately
1907
one hundred years ago
My mom was the baby in her
family & here she is,
the tiny one in the white dress
with some family members.
Tryon, PEI
approximately 1910
My Dad's Grandparents,
Hester & Robert Gilroy
She is wearing a
Salvation Army uniform.
Above is a wonderful early photo of my mother, father, my sister Eleanor and my brother, Kenneth.
This picture was taken in the 1930's when my parents, Guy & Ruby, were in their twenties.
I wasn't even a gleam in my father's eye at this time.
There is an eight year span between what my Mom often called her first & second family.
Front row centre is my proud grandfather, James Austin. Behind him three of his sons, on the left, my dad Guy, next to him my Uncle Ernie and then my Uncle Jim. This photo is taken in 1937. My Dad was 31 years old.
I was honoured to have met my Grandad Austin many times throughout my childhood.
I remember him as a big man with a kind face.
When I was a very young child on a visit to Nova Scotia where he lived I was thrilled to spend a night in a jail cell. This request on my part was honoured because my Grandad happened to be the Jailer of the Springhill Jail.
I'm happy to say though that since then I have never spent another night in a cell nor do I have plans to do so.
We now skip ahead 10 years to 1947. This is a photo of my Dad. The Maritimes were left behind by my Dad during depression years. He made a home for my Mother and my older brother and sister in Toronto. Then a few years later the children, including myself, began to arrive. Mom always called us her second family because of the eight year time gap between my sister, Eleanor and my older sister, Muriel. The final four of my mother's six children were all born in Toronto.
The year is 1947. With my Dad
in our Toronto backyard
are my little sister, Linda, my little brother, Raymond.
I am the serious five year old who loved to quietly observe her surroundings and write
little stories.
Sixty years later not a whole lot
about me has changed I guess when it comes to my favourite way to spend my time.
I still take great pleasure in observing my world and writing short stories about those
things that I see.
From top to bottom
the four children in my mother's second family
are
Muriel, myself, Raymond and baby Linda.
This photo was taken in our Toronto backyard which was my father's pride and joy.
The back half of the yard was Dad's vegetable garden and under the plum tree
stood the shed where my
father raised the beautiful angora rabbits.
As a young girl I spent many hours
lying on the roof of that shed sheltered
by the warm branches of the plum tree.
This was my early introduction
to meditation.
I consider myself truly blessed
to have had this experience
at such an early age.
Now from the 1940's we will take a giant leap into the 21st century. I hope you have enjoyed looking at these old photos, many of which were developed by my father and my older brother, Ken, who shared an interest in photography.
Now I will share a few more recent pics of myself and my siblings. There were six of us all together beginning with my oldest brother Kenneth who is now 78 years old. He is living happily with his wife, daughter, Lynn & her husband and their beautiful grandchildren in a lovely lakeside home in Gravenhurst.
Next in line is my lovely sister, Eleanor. She is now 77 years of age and is living happily with her husband, children and grandchildren in her beautiful home overlooking the ocean in sunny Bermuda.
My beautiful sister, Muriel, is next in line. The first child of my mother's second family, sadly she passed away at the age of 68. We miss her so very much but we are grateful that for the years she was able to share with us here on earth she had a fulfilling, rewarding life with her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
I'm next in line. It's no secret that I've recently turned 65 and am enjoying retirement in beautiful Elliot Lake with my partner, Brian. My beautiful daughters and my three gorgeous grandsons mean the world to me.
My brother, Ray, arrived on this planet a couple of years after me. He also is recently retired and is enjoying life with his lovely wife, Carol, his beautiful daughters and his grandchildren in their beautiful homes in Newmarket, Ontario.
Last but by no means least my adorable little sister, Linda, was the last to bless our family. She is three years younger than myself and she is also blessed with a wonderful family. She lives happily in Barrie, Ontario with her husband, John, their daughters and grandchildren.
FAMILY holds great importance to all of us. My siblings and I miss our parents who worked hard and provided to the best of their ability a home and education for all of us.
Most sadly missed is our dear sister, Muriel, who lives forever in our hearts and minds.
This photo of my sister, Muriel, and I was taken in June, 2005
just six months before she left us.
Muriel loved life and we all loved her.
On this day we were enjoying a game of Yahtzee
in my Elliot Lake backyard Teahouse.
Muriel, her husband, Eric,
myself and Brian
on the front steps
of Muriel and Eric's
beautiful home in
Elliot Lake.
This photo was taken in
August, 2005
just four months before
Muriel's death in December, 2005.
Cancer did its best to attack her
physically
but nothing could dampen
her strong spirit, her
strengthening faith
or her wonderful sense of humour.
Muriel's
favourite flower,
the yellow rose
I am blessed to be spending my life here in Elliot Lake with Brian Fletcher, a quiet, intelligent, hard working, creative Englishman who lights up my life. I have most definitely saved the best for last and I thank God for bringing Brian into my world.
Brian and I enjoying our stay at
Laurentian Lodge
in August, 2005
And now for something completely different we will again take a big step back into the past. From the 21st century in Elliot Lake I will take you back to Prince Edward Island and show a few photos of my dear mother's family.
A wonderful very old photo of the McNeil (MacNeill) Clan
on Prince Edward Island
with my grandfather's Blacksmith Shop
in the background.
My Great Grandmother, Jane Dawson,
is the lady wearing the long white apron.
Three children in the front row are my Aunts Emma & Annie
and my Uncle Elmer.
Others are members of the MacNeill, Curtis & Mabey families.
My mother's parents, my grandparents
Thomas Alexander McNeil and Elvina Curtis
My beautiful young mother, Eva Ruby,
with my sister, Muriel and me.
The year is 1947.
I am 5 years old and Muriel is 8 years old.
In her later years
my Grandmother
Elvina McNeil,
(nee Curtis)
My Grandma
died when I was a
young girl.
I remember my
father consoling
my mother
who was inconsolable
unable to make the trip to P.E.I. for
her mother's funeral
Back to the 21st Century
The year is 2006
and
here I am
with my
beautiful daughters,
Christine,
Susan
and my only son,
(or so I call him)
The Dudley,
my adorable
now 11 year old
Jack Russell Terrier
This handsome young man
at the age of 25
is my
number one grandson,
David Michael Scott.
Currently still single, living
in southern Ontario
David is a transport driver
who spends
as much time as
possible doing what he
loves and that is
being a drummer in a band.
Music is David's passion.
Hard at work behind the drums
is
David
performing with his band
in Montreal, 2006.
These handsome lads, fraternal twins,
are my grandsons
Matthew and Joseph.
Now almost 17 years old
and ready to begin their last year in highschool
this photo was taken
on the first day of school
when they were just starting
highschool in grade nine.
Both bright, intelligent boys they
have yet to decide on
future career options.
I'm a very proud Grandma
and I love them with all my heart.
Whatever they decide for their future
they are high achievers
amd I know they will be successful in life.
A few more pics of my siblings
and their families...........
My sister, Eleanor,
and her husband, Hubert
My sister, Linda, and her husband, John
to the left
there is John again, proud grandfather,
with Linda & John's beautiful
three grandsons.
Below a proud day when Linda's daughter,
Karen graduated university.
on the right
my brother,
Ken
and
on the left
his
lovely wife
my
sister-in-law
Ann
left
Colin & their grandson Craig
My brother, Ray, and his beautiful wife, Carol
My brother-in-law, Eric
and on the right,
My sister Muriel, Eric, Brian and me
Ray & Carol's lovely daughters,
Trisha and Tara Dawn
Reese, Ray & Carol's
grand-daughter
Nicole & Adam.......Nicole is one of
Muriel and Eric's many grandchildren
More of my children & grandchildren......our life in Elliot Lake
My beautiful daughters, Christine & Susan
left to right is Matthew, Susan, Christine, Robert, Joseph
My son-in-law, Robert, with "The Boy"....Dudley
Christine with Dudley's girlfriend,
Mrs. Biggles
"Tigger"...Susan's beautiful cat
who is a sibling of Christine's cat, Junior
but, sadly, I have no pic of Junior.
Susan's "PSW" Graduation Day
Here I am with my grandson, David,
and my daughter, Susan
Here I am at Spine Beach with son-in-law, Robert,
and my grumpy old man, "Dudley"
Richard with his Dad, Brian
Brian and I at the Fireside Inn
Christine & Susan on Dunlop Lake
Dudley & me in Brian's home town of Sault Ste Marie
Susan
My Grandsons, Joseph & Matthew
with their Aunt Susan
Christine, Matthew & Susan enjoying
the Bunkie on Dunlop Lake
Dudley & me on the Boardwalk
in Sault Ste Marie
Christine & Robert
Brian at Laurentian Lodge
Joseph
David
Matthew
My daughter, Susan, and I at Spruce Beach
on Canada Day
Dudley
Brian & Me
Medieval Dinner with Friends
at the Ren Centre
Brian & I out for dinner
and on the right it's Fun on Thanksgiving
OUR HOME ...CHRISTMAS IN ELLIOT LAKE, CANADA
I hope you have enjoyed your visit to our home in beautiful Elliot Lake.
Two important members of my family I want to add to this
Family Page
First is Yeny Colquehuanca Ponce, my lovely foster daughter, who lives in
Puno, Peru. Yeny, a 28 year old young woman first came
into my life as my World Vision Sponsored Child
when she was eight years old.
She and I share our lives through letters.
The second sponsored child in my family on this page is
Aguilar Bausi,
a handsome 10 year old boy who lives in
the Philippines.
I am proud to have Aguilar as my World Vision Sponsored Child.
I am also blessed to have many nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins
far too numerous to mention each one on this page.
I love them all. Family means everything to me.
Sticking to my list on the NEXT PAGE I will talk about
