Grandma’s Stories

Jul 14th Thanks to Volunteers!

While I am rememberiing Aunt Irene Riley  –  can not forget all the volunteer work she  did  for German St.Vincent’s Orphan Home.

Aunt Irene was a  member of the  Ladies  Auxiliary  of the Our Lady  of Sorrows Church   on  South Kingshighway  –  St. Louis, Missouri. As  a member of Our Lady  of Sorrows’s Auxiliary, she knew when they would  be affiliated with  the German St.Vincent  Orphan Home and told my Mother that they take care of  boys and girls, so that instead of placing  my brothers in St.Joseph Home for boys, and placing me in the St.Mary’s home for girls, we could be together as a family at   St. Vincent’s.

My  Mother was expecting twins and was getting too big and could hardly walk. So, in her condition,  she needed to find a place for us to stay   for   –  maybe   nine months to a year?  In those  days   –   there  just was not a family member nor any reliable place for three children  to be placed  – temporarily?  My  Father had a good job, but highly unreliable when it came to taking care of his family.  My Mother, took her sister’ advice and we all went out to the  “Orphan Home” to see if it was  the place for us.

When we went out to take the tour  and see what this place would be like  –  the thing I remember most was  that  the whole place smelled like a   “BAKERY”  –  it was the day  that Sister Augustella  was baking bread. All the bread eaten by the  children and Nuns was made at the  “HOME.”  So, I am guessing that wonderful aroma and  the  smells made a terrific impression  on our being placed there   –  months later.

Aunt Irene,  was  a “Volunteer” with other ladies from her church on the “PICNIC”  and ANNIVERSARY” Days  – every year that we   were living  at St.Vincent.   It was fun to see Aunt Irene  when she would be  there working  at the  “booth” for  her  Church Members  to  raise  money for  St.Vincent and the other charities that   were all doing what they thought would  be   good and helpful  for the children.

Thanks to all the   “Volunteers”     –  everyone who has the time and energy  to work for the greater good  of and for children!

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