Thursday, June 16, 2011

Margaret Bradley

Michael's grandmother died today.

She was born 91 years ago on a farm outside of Galway in Ireland. She worked in a factory in London during the Blitz literally dodging bombs on her way to and from work with a few near misses. She remembered the War in London as the happiest days of her life. She remembered working all day and then partying all night with anyone and everyone like there was no tomorrow (literally).
After the War, she used her savings of about $24 to buy a ticket to the States on the original Queen Mary. She married, and was widowed after about 12 years of marriage with 3 young children. She raised them herself, a single mom, and a working mom, in the 1950s and 60s. She never married again. She lived the rest of her life in a small house in Elmhurst, Queens.
All her life, she kept a shillelagh behind the door, and kept her Irish brogue to the end.

May she rest in peace.






And she might appreciate this little reminder of her happy youth in a dangerous and exciting time:

5 comments:

June Butler said...

My sympathy to Michael and his family on the death of Margaret.

Almost everyone I knew who was grown-up, but young during the war years worked hard, or fought hard, and, when they had the chance, they partied like there was no tomorrow, because they thought there may be no tomorrow.

"Down by the Salley Gardens" is a beautiful video, both the music and the scenes, and, of course, I love Vera Lynn's songs from the war times.

Leonard said...

Amen...strong and authentic to the end.

Peace be with all of you,
Leonardo

JCF said...

All her life, she kept a shillelagh behind the door, and kept her Irish brogue to the end.

All the better to put a hurt on anyone who dared mess w/ her grandson and his partner, I'm thinking? :-)

May Margaret rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Prayers for peace and rest for Margaret and prayers of consolation for Michael and all who loved her.

Fran (I'm at work)

Unknown said...

My sympathy and prayers for Michael's family as well. From the hedgerows to the Cliffs of Moher there is such a beauty in Ireland! Glaway is a place of such natural beauty.

I pray that her spirit might pause over the green hills and hedgerows of Ireland, on the way to the Father, and be at peace.