Monday, October 26, 2009

Another Connection

I received an email that left a lump in my throat. Shades has done several articles on Grace Mathewson and her collection of postcards; to her from friends and parents as they traveled the world. I'm sure you can all empathize with me; that as a researcher you find the ephemera and photographs, you trace the life stories, and you always want more. Today, Shades was honored to have more.

Another branch of Grace's family has found the homage to her on Shades. I have received several wonderful emails from Kathie Stafford, Grace Mathewson's Granddaughter.

I asked if Kathie had a photograph she would be willing to share, wanting very much to see the woman about whom I've written. Kathie has sent photographs and information as well as inviting me to meet with her and her father, Grace's son David, to talk more about Grace. I could not be more honored.

Here is Kathie's email and a photograph of a beautiful Grace on the occasion of her graduation from the University of Montana.


"I am Grace's granddaughter. We found your wonderful write up on her in 'Shades of the Departed'. We had no idea that these cards existed. . .those cards and letters would be treasures to me.

Your work is wonderful and I can't tell you how much I appreciate the work you did to preserve Grace's memory. My uncle Norman (Grace's son died during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war graves registration visited Grace to find out if she wanted Norman brought home. She asked to see the photographs of where Norman was, and said that he should rest there. She never did visit his grave as she didn't travel much after she married.)

Again, I can't thank you enough for what you do. I can picture Grace as an exuberant little girl; she was a cheerful and wise grandmother. She was known for her pithy remarks that cut right down to the truth. Grace loved her father and mother and spoke of them often. EP was a very strong advocate for educating women; he read to his children and encouraged them to learn. All of his daughters were college educated.

My father loved her very much and took care of her until her death in 1993."

Kathie Stafford

Thank you so much, Kathie, for sharing your family with the readers of Shades.

I traveled to Montana last month for my son's wedding and went back to the antiques store where I had purchased these postcards hoping for more. The postcards were gone and I was told they had been taken to an auction out of state and sold. I was heartbroken. Heartbroken for myself and now much more so for Grace's family.

So here are the articles on Shades about Grace Mathewson. Enjoy them now that you have made a connection with her.

1 Comments:

Blogger Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...

I love that Grace's family have found her postcards here but how sad that the rest are missing. If they've gone to an auction house perhaps they'll resurface again.

October 27, 2009 at 3:59 PM  

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