Picassa Web Album Marc - Gretchen
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Birth to High School -- 1929 through 1946
BIRTH and EARLY YEARS
Gretchen LaVaughn LaMar was born on March 6, 1929 at Monroe City, Indiana (the farm where Gretchen was born was called “Cowmuck” (Kalmuck)). She was the daughter of Eldora Leone Perry (April 7, 1908 to September 21, 1976) and Joseph Franklin LaMar (December 9, 1903 to December 11, 1992). She was the second of four girls. Her older sister is Benita Jo, who married Douglas Russell McKinnon. Her two younger sisters are Jaqueline Sue who married Gordon Neff, and Perilee who married Darwin Joseph Lindsey.
Her paternal Grandparents were Charles Clarke LaMar (March 9 1869 to Oct. 23, 1953 ) and Nancy Jane Harris (November 15, 1872 to June 12, 1964) (The dates Marc has are 15 Nov 1873 to July 14, 1964). They were married in 1895? in Spencer City Indiana.
She was born at her maternal grandparents’, Frank Grover Perry (September 29, 1885 to July 13, 1948) and Elizabeth Agnes Welton ( to 1992) farm. She was told she was born on an ironing board. Her Mom married her Dad at 15, and gave birth to her when she was 19 ½, making her Dad 24 years old at the time. Her Mom and Dad rented a home on Lyndale Avenue in Vincennes, Indiana at that time. From there they moved to 901 N. Second Street, Monroe City, Indiana, also a rental (????? This was what was listed in Mom’s memoir book).
She was a colickey baby and had colitis a lot. When she was two years old she could not talk. Grandma Perry’s dog was named “Bill”. That was her first word, and thus became her nickname for life! All of her sisters, Jo, Jackie and Perri called her “Bill”, as well as all her Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Her Mom and Dad, however, called her LaVaughn.
When she was little, her Mom and Dad left her with her Aunt Alice while they attended a funeral. She went out and was picking flowers from the garden. Her Aunt told her to stop, Gretchen said “no” and spit on her Aunt Alice. When she got home her Dad gave her a whippin’ – this was the first and only time she ever received a spanking from her Dad.
Gretchen entered school at the age of 5 in January, 1934. Her first teacher was Marie Muford. She graduated from Grammar School in May, 1941, at the age of 12 at Washington School.
When she was 6 years old, her Mom and Dad bought their first home at 1203 Ridgeway in Vincennes, Indiana. The day they moved in she fell and broke her leg while roller skating. She lived at this home until she got married in 1950, at the age of 21.
Her first friends were the Jenkins children, who were neighbors. She also recalls the Herr’s, also neighbors.
She entered Lincoln High School in 1943, attended prom on May 23, 1947, and graduated on May 26, 1947 at the age of 18. Her school colors were green and white. Her high school year book listed her as, “Always ready for a good time. Good Cheer, Library Assistant, Orchestra, Blue Tri and Senior Sentinel). In High School her best friend was Janice Fravel (who married Harold Young, whom she had once dated!). Another good friend was Imy Divine.
Gretchen enjoyed roller skating, bowling and dancing when she was young.
Her parents earned a living by running a gasoline service station, grocery store, and working in defense plants. Granny worked in a department store, Hastings in Vincennes and Washington, Indiana. Granny woked in the parachute factory during World War II.
Bad Memories: Granny would always make me cry every day before I went to school. She would hit me until I cried. She would also make us cut down a cherry tree tee (stick). She used it to spank us. She even carried it to Church with her, so that if we acted up she could spank us in Church.
Granny did teach me how to cook and to clean. My Dad taught me how to be patient, as he was a very patient man. My children have taught me the love of life. My favorite teacher was my home economics teach (can’t recall her name).
Gretchen grew up in Vincennes, Indiana. She attended Washington and Vincennes Jr. High and Vincennes High School. Her best subjects were math and home economics, but she was not very good in reading. Her favorite activities were dancing, dating, parties and living life to its fullest.
Her first date was a movie, with her childhood crush, Jimmy Wheatly. He lived down the street. Jackie and I would be playing paper dolls. I’d keep watch or Jimmy, so he wouldn’t see me playing with the paper dolls. I was about 13-14 years old.
Gretchen recalls that her Grandma LaMar made her own wine. When she was just a little girl (how old??), she got into that wine. During her grandparents 50th wedding anniversary she poured the wine into the punch. She recalls there were a lot of happy Christians at the party.
Gretchen LaVaughn LaMar was born on March 6, 1929 at Monroe City, Indiana (the farm where Gretchen was born was called “Cowmuck” (Kalmuck)). She was the daughter of Eldora Leone Perry (April 7, 1908 to September 21, 1976) and Joseph Franklin LaMar (December 9, 1903 to December 11, 1992). She was the second of four girls. Her older sister is Benita Jo, who married Douglas Russell McKinnon. Her two younger sisters are Jaqueline Sue who married Gordon Neff, and Perilee who married Darwin Joseph Lindsey.
Her paternal Grandparents were Charles Clarke LaMar (March 9 1869 to Oct. 23, 1953 ) and Nancy Jane Harris (November 15, 1872 to June 12, 1964) (The dates Marc has are 15 Nov 1873 to July 14, 1964). They were married in 1895? in Spencer City Indiana.
She was born at her maternal grandparents’, Frank Grover Perry (September 29, 1885 to July 13, 1948) and Elizabeth Agnes Welton ( to 1992) farm. She was told she was born on an ironing board. Her Mom married her Dad at 15, and gave birth to her when she was 19 ½, making her Dad 24 years old at the time. Her Mom and Dad rented a home on Lyndale Avenue in Vincennes, Indiana at that time. From there they moved to 901 N. Second Street, Monroe City, Indiana, also a rental (????? This was what was listed in Mom’s memoir book).
She was a colickey baby and had colitis a lot. When she was two years old she could not talk. Grandma Perry’s dog was named “Bill”. That was her first word, and thus became her nickname for life! All of her sisters, Jo, Jackie and Perri called her “Bill”, as well as all her Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Her Mom and Dad, however, called her LaVaughn.
When she was little, her Mom and Dad left her with her Aunt Alice while they attended a funeral. She went out and was picking flowers from the garden. Her Aunt told her to stop, Gretchen said “no” and spit on her Aunt Alice. When she got home her Dad gave her a whippin’ – this was the first and only time she ever received a spanking from her Dad.
Gretchen entered school at the age of 5 in January, 1934. Her first teacher was Marie Muford. She graduated from Grammar School in May, 1941, at the age of 12 at Washington School.
When she was 6 years old, her Mom and Dad bought their first home at 1203 Ridgeway in Vincennes, Indiana. The day they moved in she fell and broke her leg while roller skating. She lived at this home until she got married in 1950, at the age of 21.
Her first friends were the Jenkins children, who were neighbors. She also recalls the Herr’s, also neighbors.
She entered Lincoln High School in 1943, attended prom on May 23, 1947, and graduated on May 26, 1947 at the age of 18. Her school colors were green and white. Her high school year book listed her as, “Always ready for a good time. Good Cheer, Library Assistant, Orchestra, Blue Tri and Senior Sentinel). In High School her best friend was Janice Fravel (who married Harold Young, whom she had once dated!). Another good friend was Imy Divine.
Gretchen enjoyed roller skating, bowling and dancing when she was young.
Her parents earned a living by running a gasoline service station, grocery store, and working in defense plants. Granny worked in a department store, Hastings in Vincennes and Washington, Indiana. Granny woked in the parachute factory during World War II.
Bad Memories: Granny would always make me cry every day before I went to school. She would hit me until I cried. She would also make us cut down a cherry tree tee (stick). She used it to spank us. She even carried it to Church with her, so that if we acted up she could spank us in Church.
Granny did teach me how to cook and to clean. My Dad taught me how to be patient, as he was a very patient man. My children have taught me the love of life. My favorite teacher was my home economics teach (can’t recall her name).
Gretchen grew up in Vincennes, Indiana. She attended Washington and Vincennes Jr. High and Vincennes High School. Her best subjects were math and home economics, but she was not very good in reading. Her favorite activities were dancing, dating, parties and living life to its fullest.
Her first date was a movie, with her childhood crush, Jimmy Wheatly. He lived down the street. Jackie and I would be playing paper dolls. I’d keep watch or Jimmy, so he wouldn’t see me playing with the paper dolls. I was about 13-14 years old.
Gretchen recalls that her Grandma LaMar made her own wine. When she was just a little girl (how old??), she got into that wine. During her grandparents 50th wedding anniversary she poured the wine into the punch. She recalls there were a lot of happy Christians at the party.
Other Stuff About Mom -- And Some Trivia
Things she has enjoyed in her life.
Traveling – She’s been to Europe, England two times, Hawaii, every State in the United States, and has been on 3 or 4 cruises.
What is really important to Gretchen and what are some of her fond memories:
Christian faith, getting along well with friends and family, eating and playing games together. The great family reunions.
Her favorite museum is The Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois. Her favorite musical artist is Sandi Patti. Her favorite concert was The Gaither’s. Her favorite Broadway Musical was CATS. Her favorite movies are Gone With the Wind, Sister Act and The Sound of Music. Her favorite actor is Paul Newman and her favorite actress is Audrey Hepburn.
What Mom wants us to Remember about her:
Remember that I always had an open house, I liked to have fun with my kids and their friends.
Traveling – She’s been to Europe, England two times, Hawaii, every State in the United States, and has been on 3 or 4 cruises.
What is really important to Gretchen and what are some of her fond memories:
Christian faith, getting along well with friends and family, eating and playing games together. The great family reunions.
Her favorite museum is The Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois. Her favorite musical artist is Sandi Patti. Her favorite concert was The Gaither’s. Her favorite Broadway Musical was CATS. Her favorite movies are Gone With the Wind, Sister Act and The Sound of Music. Her favorite actor is Paul Newman and her favorite actress is Audrey Hepburn.
What Mom wants us to Remember about her:
Remember that I always had an open house, I liked to have fun with my kids and their friends.
Marriage to John A. Patton 2000-Present
In February 2000, she met a nice man at Church, named John Arthur Patton, whom she later wed on October 7, 2000. They were married in the Lake Havasu Baptist Church, and reside at 3075 Wrangler Lane, Lake Havasu City, AZ. John is 14 years older than Gretchen, and was 84 when they got married.
The Seven Year Drought 1993-2000
For seven years Gretchen would be on her own. During this time she was active playing Bunco, quilt clubs and various Church functions.
Marriage to Richard Robinson 1957-1993
On Mother’s Day 1957, I got back together with Richard Lee Robinson, a man I had previously dated after WWII. We met at Church. We got married on August 17, 1957 at the First Baptist Church, Vincennes, Indiana. Mom cannot recall who stood up with them. They honeymooned the first night at Indiana Beach and then in Rochester, Indiana.
Their first address was 532 South Central Court, Indianapolis, Indiana. In ______ they moved to ______ Apollo Way, Indianapolis, Indiana. Their first son, Marc Alan Robinson, was born at Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 29, 1959. He weighed 6lb. 6oz., and was 21” long. Long and skinny, and he sucked milk so hard it would make my nipples bleed (direct quote).
Another child would join the family on January 18, 1962. Her name was Mavis Ann Robinson, and she was born at St. Vincent hospital. She weighed 6lb. 3oz.
Gretchen recalls receiving flowers from Dick, after each child was born.
Richard worked at the Chevrolet Bus and Truck plant for 28 years, until he retired in 1981, at the age of 56. He was a Traffic Analyst when he retired. Mom did many odd jobs for years. She sewed for people, ironed clothes, etc.
When Mavis was four years old, they moved to 5461 West 71st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. They remained in that home until the Spring of 1990, when they moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
During this time Gretchen worked at Habig’s Flower Shop and O’Malia’s Fireplace Shop. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was in the Kappa Kappa Sigma sorority, involved in much Church work at Traders Point Christian Church…and heavily used her gift of hospitality.
On July 4th, 1993, Gretchen would lose her second husband to Lung Cancer.
Their first address was 532 South Central Court, Indianapolis, Indiana. In ______ they moved to ______ Apollo Way, Indianapolis, Indiana. Their first son, Marc Alan Robinson, was born at Coleman Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 29, 1959. He weighed 6lb. 6oz., and was 21” long. Long and skinny, and he sucked milk so hard it would make my nipples bleed (direct quote).
Another child would join the family on January 18, 1962. Her name was Mavis Ann Robinson, and she was born at St. Vincent hospital. She weighed 6lb. 3oz.
Gretchen recalls receiving flowers from Dick, after each child was born.
Richard worked at the Chevrolet Bus and Truck plant for 28 years, until he retired in 1981, at the age of 56. He was a Traffic Analyst when he retired. Mom did many odd jobs for years. She sewed for people, ironed clothes, etc.
When Mavis was four years old, they moved to 5461 West 71st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. They remained in that home until the Spring of 1990, when they moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
During this time Gretchen worked at Habig’s Flower Shop and O’Malia’s Fireplace Shop. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels, was in the Kappa Kappa Sigma sorority, involved in much Church work at Traders Point Christian Church…and heavily used her gift of hospitality.
On July 4th, 1993, Gretchen would lose her second husband to Lung Cancer.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
