I met Margaret for the 1st time in May, 2014, after connecting with Lauren Tyson on ancestry.com. That remarkable contact with Lauren led to my wonderful visit with “Aunt Margaret”, my late father’s 1st cousin, at her home in California.
Aunt Margaret was about 13 years younger than my father, but they were good friends. I had only met her once, when I was four years old. I don’t remember that time, but Margaret told me she and her family had passed through Dallas, staying for a visit at Christmas, and she helped put my toys together for the next morning.
Our visit together in April was very special. Margaret told me funny stories about her, my Dad, Dad’s brother Beau, and Boyd. She talked about how the cousins hung out together and played tricks on their Grandfather Murphy. My Dad was her hero – he made sure little Maggie was allowed to go with the big guys where ever they went.
She told me stories about her ‘Little Grandmother’, who our family called Momo Walker. I have vague memories of Great Grandmother Walker, her white house in Waco, the apricot fried pies, the mysterious upstairs attic. Margaret helped me recall all those memories and more.
It was a special visit, as her love for my Dad showed in everything she said. I could tell they were very close as children, and despite the separation that later life brings, they stayed connected. I could see that she had an adventurous spirit that my Dad must have loved. And she spoke so well of all her family and friends.
I enjoyed the phone calls and Christmas cards we exchanged, photos passed back and forth. I am so glad I got to meet her at her home. Many thanks to Lauren for bringing us together, Roger for helping us the day I visited, and Ree for staying in touch and keeping me updated.
Contributor: Mark Wilson
Many years ago Maggie was my sister in law. Maggie and Joe married the same day I married my first husband Bill, She was a very outgoing and jovial person. I love Dee and Ree and feel very sad for their loss.. Best to both of you girls and much love. Aunt Bert
Thank you, Aunt Bert, for leaving such a thoughtful comment here. Mom loved her “Klein” family and felt a huge loss after her divorce to Dad. As far as she was concerned, you never stopped being part of her family.
With love ~
Ree
Dear Aunt Bert,
I remember you and your husband chose to move across the street from Grandma to be close enough to help her. So your sympathies are given from the experience of your own loss and wow, it turns out it is possible to understand loss and still have it be a deeper experience than imagined when it happens. Thank you for your love.
Love,
Dee
I couldn’t agree more with Lauren. Your initial contact with Mom early last year gave her so much joy and she looked forward to your visit as if she were going to get to see her favorite cousin, Linn Jr.
I only regret that I couldn’t be there for that day. But I hope you know how much I appreciate what you did. Not only was is so gracious of you to make the trip, but you did it in a one-day turn around! That must have been exhausting.
We are so lucky to have Lauren. If not for her great detective work and dedication to document what she found on Ancestry.com, Mom would never have met you.
I’m grateful for you both!
Mark Wilson, you’re special. Who other than a caring and compassionate person would make a special trip all the way from Texas to California to meet their dad’s cousin?! Thank you for that effort. And thanks to Ancestry.com, we were able to connect in the first place. Oh, and I hadn’t heard of the fried apricot pies; they sound delicious! Maybe Momo had an apricot tree? In any event, each of these small story bites contributed by family members, combine to help us and future generations get to know and appreciate those who came before us.