I have a strong sentimental feeling for Fred and Maud’s daughters Mary (1924-2011) and Nancy (1927-2014). Both women lived their entire early lives in 5 Alexandra St. and in the case of Nancy, she lived her entire life in this house.
Mary Frederica Munro was born 9 Feb 1924. She appears to be named after both grandmothers. I cannot help but notice that Mary was born in February just a bit over 4 years since her father’s daughter (Catherine Louise) with his first wife was born and died. See her birth announcement in the local newspaper below.
I like this 1941 graduating class photograph of Mary.
Mary went on to work as a stenographer like her aunt Lea, as noted when she married William Roydon Colter, banker, on 16 Aug 1951 at St. Luke’s. I particularly love the photograph below of Maud with bride Mary on the right and bridesmaid Nancy to the left in front of the fireplace in 5 Alexandra St. They are so elegantly dressed with a little reflection in the mirror.
Obituary for “COLTER, MARY FREDERICA – Surrounded by her family the death of Mary Colter, wife of the late W. Royden Colter, occurred on Friday, May 13, 2011 at her residence. She was born on February 9, 1924 at Saint John to the late Frederick and Maude (Gaskin) Munro. Mary worked for Grain Elevator in Ontario as a secretary for many years. She is survived by her sister, Nancy Walls of Saint John; special friend, Wendy Sully of Saint John; sister-in-law, Marian Benson of Windsor, ON; brother-in-law, Gary Colter of Mississauga, ON, and cousin, Margo Munro Bertram of Vernon, BC. Mary was predeceased by her husband, parents and brother-in-law, Kenneth Walls. / Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424) with visiting on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. The Funeral Service will be held from St George’s Anglican Church, 100 Watson Street, Saint John West on Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at 11 am. Interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery. For those who wish, remembrances to the charity of donor’s choice would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be placed at www.brenansfh.com.”
Nancy Elizabeth Munro was born 8 Apr 1927 – unlike her sister Mary, her birth appears not to be registered. Nancy graduated from Saint John High School in 1944 (her sister in 1941 and her future husband in 1939).
We have Nancy’s bible given to her by her mother on her confirmation in 1941, see
Fred and Maud’s daughter Nancy, a lab technician, married Kenneth Eugene Walls, insurance agent, on 1 Sep 1956 at St. Luke’s.
.
I had wondered if Nancy and Kenneth moved out of the house after she married and maybe returned when Maud, her mother died, but this 1958 directory (images shared by a great historical restoration friend in Saint John) listing shows Ken and Nancy living with Nancy’s mother Maud two years after their wedding.
Obituary for “WALLS, NANCY – The death of Nancy Walls occurred on April 10, 2014 at Rocmaura Nursing Home. She was born on April 8, 19 27 in Saint John to the late Frederick and Maude (Gaskin) Munro. Nancy worked in the lab at the D.V.A. Hospital and later in the lab at the Saint John Regional Hospital from where she retired. She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth Walls; sister, Mary Colter and brother-in-law, Royden Colter. Nancy is survived by her sister-in-law, Joan (Bertram) Miller of St. Martins; niece Joanne (David) Hinton of New Maryland; nephew, Donald Miller of St. Martins; great nieces, Leslie and Holly of New Maryland; cousin Margo Munro Bertram of Vernon, BC and friend Wendy Sully of Saint John. / Arrangements are under the care of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). There will be no visiting at the funeral home. A funeral service will take place at St. George’s–St. Jude’s Anglican Church, 100 Watson Street, Saint John West on Saturday April 12, 2014 at 10:30 am. Interment will take place in Fernhill Cemetery. Online condolences and remembrances may be placed at www.BrenansFH.com.”
I understand Nancy was elegant, enjoyed jewelry (and furs) and travel (we have photographs from some of her cruises), and savoured a tipple on the front porch with her sister later in life. I feel such an affinity with Nancy’s interests. Apparently after Nancy died much of her jewelry was auctioned in a Tim Isaac auction – I would have loved the opportunity to purchase some of her pieces.
Every time I bathe I imagine that for almost all of Nancy’s life, she bathed in the very same tub.
Here are some photos of the girls (only in the photo with their dad is it clear who is who):
Mary and Nancy along with their husbands, parents – Maud and Frederick, along with Frederick’s first wife and daughter are all buried at Fernhill Cemetery. 5 Alexandra was sold in 2014 when Nancy passed away.
I recently found a notice from when Nancy’s rings were sold – I would love to purchase one.
