“Remembering our BABY-SISTER… EVE KAREN McClarren”

Jan 30th “Remembering our BABY-SISTER… EVE KAREN McClarren”

This PHOTO of “KAREN ” – – with big brother, “DENNY” on the left in the photo – – and big brother “TOMMY” on the right. I am taking this PHOTO – – on a very COLD day – – for a “visit” with our little sister “KAREN” – – had to go to the “Civil Courts Building” in the downtown Saint LOUIS area – – as you can tell by looking at the background – – You know right where this area is.

“KAREN with big brother, DENNY – – on his GRADUATION DAY” “1953” – – This PHOTO is taken in front of the “German St. Vincent Orphanage Gymnasium” – – 7401 Florissant Road, Normandy, Missouri – we were in line to get on the “FERRIS WHEEL” – – one of the attractions on the grounds of the “ORPHANAGE” to attract lots of Visitors – – to and for this Graduation-Picnic occasion”.

“If only this Photo would have been in color – – You could see the terrific shade of “RED HAIR” and freckles that DENNY has.”

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“This is with MOM and the three of us… February 1946 – – as our baby sister, “EVE KAREN Francisca McClarren” was born on the 16th – – and when “MOM and DAD” took our sister to the “HOLY NAME CHURCH” to be baptized – – and were asked what the baby’s NAME will be – – he was told – – “EVE KAREN” – – the Priest said … “there is not a “SAINT EVE KAREN” – – DO you have a DOG?” – – “I need a “SAINT’s NAME” – – – So as not to hold up the ceremony – – “MOM remembered that – – “Francisca CABRINI” was in the NEWS – – as just having been canonized a “SAINT” – – so that is “HOW” – our sister “KAREN” received her long and full name. This was an “IRISH PRIEST” and his “IRISH brogue” was so strong – – you could hardly understand what he was saying – -as the word “DOG” really sounded like “DOGUE!”

“This is “KAREN” with DADDY…. and of course the three of us – DENNY – ME – TOMMY – – in the area where the “APPLE” trees were growing – – and every so often one of kids – – would run down and get a handful of ‘apples’ for friends – -but… for some of the kids – – they could not eat the green “apples” they would get… a good case of the “runs” to the bath-room.”

That “SAILOR” out-fit that “TOMMY” is wearing – – is the same “out-fit” that “DENNY” wore on his trip to “OHIO” – – when he was only “four years old” – – wrote about that trip a couple weeks earlier – – and posted the news-paper clipping along – – giving all of the particulars of the long “trip” that little DENNY took … all by himself – – when “DADDY” had to go to “CALIFORNIA” to work on the “NAVY SHIPS” during WWII – – just some the exciting things that the “McClarren” children did during those “hard” times – – and we all have lived – – long enough to tell about it!

“Just some of the memories of our little sister, EVE KAREN” – – just good to have a few old PHOTOS – – for a “BACK-up” – otherwise – – no one would believe… half of the good old days – – when we were in the bad times of a “WAR” and what “AMERICANS” all did to help our “COUNTRY” WIN… – – but we “ALL” just did what we could – – and always felt good – – for what we were able to do.!” D.V.