“22 YEARS ago… and WE still all miss and LOVE our little sister, KAREN”
Today… 22 years ago… My little sister, “Eve Karen McClarren Gonzales Scott” died. Her husband, “James Scott” … had called me and told me all about the miserable treatment that “Karen” had received at the “Firmin Desloge Hospital” … talking with me on the plone, for at least three hours.
“Pancreatic cancer” is one disease that you have in your body for a long time… then one day … you go to have something in your body checked out… and in about two months time you are dead.
After “JIM” telling me all about “Karen’s problems… there was nothing that I could do… but only wished that I had known about this problem … long before the treatment that she was undergoing had taken her in such a miserable way.
He had told me… that she did know that something was wrong… long before she said something to him… just thinking that she would be able cure herself with some strong dose of “Vitamins” or some other unknown recipe… that she would also try… and also said, that she had cabinets full of all kinds of things… that she was using… and or trying to cure herself.
As you can see in this next PHOTO of “JIM and KAREN” on a vacation to “Hawaii” and where JIM had just purchased a very expensive piece of jewelry, that “KAREN” was now telling “JIM” that she was being treated so much better… especially now … she wanted JIM to know… that she was never ever treated well by the “Gonzales” family…as they were always trying to stay in touch with her.
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This next PHOTO … we NOW have of “KAREN” … she is still sucking her thumb…causing her teeth to be a real facial deterrent… for when she will be getting into her teenage years.
This PHOTO is at a PICNIC at St. Vincent’s … and “GAIL PORTER” a classmate, is on the right side of a Saint Joseph statue… and that is ME on the left side of this photo… little “KAREN” is standing below me… not enough room at the top of the statue… for all three of us and of course… ST. JOSEPH.
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One more old PHOTO – – and this is “KAREN” and her first son, “Christopher” when they were first living in the Arnold, Missouri area. And just two years ago… “Christopher” passed away… leaving with her a second son, Steven.
There is more regarding this picture … in another article of “KAREN” as she was a terrific person… only wish that she could have lived if just a little longer… but someday, all of us will be reunited in “CLOUD NINE” with our brother, “Denny H. McClarren” and have to include “KAREN’s” other son “STEVEN” who is still living and doing well. D.V.
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“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.
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“Words of Wisdom for TODAY”
… and while… we are thinking of it – – FOREVER…
it is a cause for a genuine and special joy.
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“It is CHRISTMAS… every DAY”
“Nothing is ever over – – until you have had time to view all possible events… places and most importantly… till all PHOTOS taken – – have come in for review – – and I just LOVE to review – – and give my comment.
“LOOKS LIKE this PHOTO will pass ‘muster’ and hit the front page of “fourgrandmas.com” – – never can tell – – some awards may have to be sent out for the various customs and ideas that we do award for and – – never KNOW…Who will be next… to receive one of our highly prized AWARDS!”
“LOVE and BLESSINGS to all – – D.V.
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“Saturday with an ANGEL”
“Just thought that today… “SATURDAY” would be a very good day to start off with an ANGEL!”
….. D.V.
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“(01-31-1996) – One DAY that I will never forget”
Karen and Kathleen… birth date was… February 16th, 1946.
Have to remember my sisters, ” Kathleen McClarren” and her identical twin sister, “Eve Karen Francesca McClarren – Scott” (01-31-1996). Life here for some is ” just too short” – also, to remember both of you – I did have “Masses” – – for both of you and “MOM” since she is also – – NOW joining you, both… in HEAVEN… were said at my favorite Church “St.Francis Assisi on Telegraph Road.” Have to believe that you all are with the Angels and Saints, spending time with the Almighty Yahweh!
HAVE… NOW posted some of my favorite and the best pictures of you and Tom when we went bowling, and also … when we went ice-skating I think Tom was home on military leave at the time? It’s good to take pictures to help remember all the good fun times – so long ago?
Also, was looking at that notebook you used to write all of your stories in – – and “Alyssa , my Grand- daughter” will have to do all of the required art work – – which will help to get that book published for you. Alyssa can work wonders illustrating the stories, and with an original work like your very own “STORY” book – it is just what the “writer’s market” want and are looking for.. today!
So, Karen, and Kathleen, just so you know – neither one of you will ever be forgotten! Everyone – everywhere… who ever met you and even everyone I tell about you – always ask for more information – since you have a real story… one that needs and should some day hopefully be told!
I can only say … “YOU” may be absent from the body, but I do know… you are “ALL” in the presence of the “Almighty our Creator.” May blessings… be with you all… forever and ever… more! D.V.
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