Elizabeth Lyle Gaffney – Many Branches, One Tree

Workday Wednesday: Agnes Gaffney: Teacher and Model of Virtue

Agnes Catherine Gaffney (1872 – 1952) Part Three of Three Agnes Catherine Gaffney was one of four students in the graduating class of 1890 from Conneaut High School in 1890. According to the 1940 United States Federal Census, she went on to complete three years of college, making her the highest educated member of her immediate … Continue reading

Church Record Sunday: Sacred Solos for High Voice

Agnes Catherine Gaffney (1872 – 1952) Part One of Three Agnes Catherine Gaffney Not long ago, my second cousin gave me a lovely songbook that had belonged to her late mother, Benita Jane (McCormick) Olson and before her, our mutual great grand aunt, Agnes Gaffney. Titled Fischer’s Album of Sacred Solos for High Voice, it … Continue reading

Wisdom Wednesday: Wise and Loving Matriarch

Mary Jane (Gaffney) McGinnis: (1858 – 1940) Friends and sometimes complete strangers often dropped by Mary Jane (Gaffney) McGinnis’ home during the 1920s and 30s, hungry for a meal or even advice. Janie gave both quietly and generously, never asking for anything in return. She was a fervent follower of the Golden Rule: Do … Continue reading

Motivation Monday: How Could I Compete with a Genius?

Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca 1928 – 1987 My godfather and Uncle, Ralph Thomas “Tom” Schiavon, United States Army Signal Corps, Camp Crowder, Missouri Ralph Thomas Schiavon 1924 – 1993 In her own words (Part Six) We have been following my mother’s account of her life, written a couple of months before she died … Continue reading

Sentimental Sunday: If You Try Hard Enough, You Can Do Anything

Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca 1928 – 1987 In her own words (Part Five) On June 24, 1987, a couple of months before she died of lung cancer, my mother, Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca began writing the story of her life. Earlier, she described her earliest memories of life with her parents until the … Continue reading

Remembering Mary Jane and Elizabeth Gaffney

Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca 1928 – 1987 In her own words (Part Two) On June 24, 1987, a couple of months before she died of lung cancer, my mother, Joan Joyce (Schiavon) Huesca began writing the story of her life. In this excerpt from her book, Joan Joyce Schiavon Huesca: … Continue reading