A TRIBUTE

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Traditional Irish Blessing

May you always walk in sunshine
and may God's love around you flow;
For the happiness you gave us,
no one will ever know.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you did not go alone;
A part of us went with you
the day God called you home.
A million times we've needed you,
a million times we've cried;
If love alone could save you,
you never would have died.

Toolie as a teenager

In Memory Of My Great~Grandmother
MARTHA MYLES KEALEY
"TOOLIE"

Born September 20, 1887
in Quebec, Canada
Died August 3, 1978
Duluth, Minnesota

I have so many wonderful memories of this woman, I almost don't know where to start! I guess the thing I remember most was her gentleness and kindness. She was a very large woman, I think 6', or near that. She was strong in her convictions and her faith and a very hard worker, seemed she was always working and on her days off she'd come out to the country to our house and help my mom with us kids and do more work! Her heart was as big as the universe and she taught us honesty and fairness and above all else hope, that there would always be better times ahead...
I remember how we'd laugh (with her) when she'd go through the list of all our names when calling one of us inside till she got it right. There were six of us at the time, Well folks the joke's on us! We all do the very same thing now! *smiles* It's the most fun at my nieces house; we have Tammy, Tylor, Travis and Trevor! I personally gave up, the boys are "the oldest", "the middle one", and "the baby"! I'll let the rest of my family share some memories later in the page! The song now playing is one she used to sing to me as a child. Every time it plays I can hear her voice.... More about it below.

IRISH & CELTIC MUSIC LINKS
Enya Unofficial Home Page
Jeremy's Celtic-Filk-Folk On-Line Connections!

The Chieftains WWW Site
My Irish Midi Page
Dedicated to "Toolie"
Traditional Irish Tunes in Midi Format
Song now playing Irish Lullaby!

Jordan-O'Connel Memorial
Celtic Midi Archive

The Claddaugh
The Claddaugh stands for friendship *hands*, love *heart* and loyalty *crown*. In Ireland, girls are given a Claddaugh ring when they turn 16. If they have no boyfriend, they wear it on their right hand facing them. If they have a boyfriend, they wear it on their right hand facing out. If they are engaged, they wear it on their left hand, facing them. If they are married, they wear it on their left hand facing out.

FAMILY MEMORIES

My Grandma say's this was her Mother's
favorite poem.
*

"Bring Me All Your Flowers Now" I would rather have a single rose From the garden of a friend, Than have the choicest flowers, When my stay on earth must end... I would rather have the kindest words Which may now be said to me, Than flattered when my heart is still- And this life has ceased to be... I would rather have a loving smile From friends I know are true, Than tears shed 'round my casket, When this world I've bade adieu! Bring me all your flowers, Whether pink, or white, or red. I'd rather have one blossom now THAN A TRUCKLOAD WHEN I'M DEAD........by: R.D.Richards

*******

My mom's recollection of how my Gram got the nick-name Toolie is that whenever she was upset with my Father she would call him "you old tool", and my Dad shortened it to "Toolie"! I don't ever remember calling her anything else but that.

******

From my sister, Kathie
For all the years that I can remember, my Great Grandmother kept her folding money and her kleenex in the top of her stocking. She wore the old fashioned hose that where held up with garter's. Every time one of the grandchildren or great-grandchildren came to visit she would sit down on the chair and hike up her skirt to get out her money. She always liked to give the children a dollar when they came to visit. Whenever you visited at Toolie's house you had better come hungry. As soon as any company came in the door the refrigerator was opened and emptied. She would put out piles of various food and you were expected to eat. I think to her food was hospitality. Whether you were hungry or not you had to eat at least something. If you said you were not hungry she would go about packing up something for you to take home.

THE IRISH NET

THANK YOU tara! What a nice surprise!

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