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View Tree for Margaret A. KearnsMargaret A. Kearns (d. Abt. November 1944)

Margaret A. Kearns (daughter of Felix Kearns and Margaret Danahy) was born in East Pembroke, NY, and died Abt. November 1944 in Rochester, NY. She married John H. Napier on September 11, 1894 in Batavia, NY, son of George Napier and Elizabeth Frances Potter.

 Includes NotesNotes for Margaret A. Kearns:
Written by Paul V. Napier in the summer of 1994:



Billy,



Again, I believe that Jack & Chuck could be more helpfull as they continued to reside, at least on weekends, at 724 Frost Ave., virtually from the time the family moved to Council Rock around 1933 along 'mit Bob, through grammer school at
Blessed Sacrament and Aquinas.



I do not recall my paternal grandfather as he died very early in my life. Gram Napier was an unusually kind and generous woman who did not enjoy the best of health. There is a diary of Aunt Marion's that I saw briefly someplace - perhaps at
Chuck's - that has various references to Gram's health.



She was an excellent cook and among my fondest memories are the sight, smell and taste of her large homemade apple pies cooling in the pantry, along 'mit the oversized sugar cookies. She was ahead of her time in the creation of soft ice cream
- vanilla - that was delicious served straight. However, she specialized in treating us by using the soft ice cream as the basis of a Canada Dry ginger ale soda.



She epitomized an era when the woman o fthe house (assisted by Aunt Marion, who lived all of her adult life - as did Gram - at 724 Frost Ave.) who spend a good deal of Saturday and virtually all of Sunday preparing and serving the Sunday family
dinner. Jack resented that the long-time boarder Gus Freisner - a bachelor bank officer who also spent many of his adult years at Frost Ave. until his death in the late 50's - sat at the head of the table during the Sunday family dinner. But
I liked Gus because he would almost ritually ask at the conclusion of dinner if any one was interested in the Madison Theater passes, which he never seemed to exhaust. I can vividly recall skipping down the long block to Genesee Street,
admission pass in hand, to see Tyrone Power and Henry Fonda in "Jesse James." And afterward, an adventursome visit to Harry's (Donalotis) Sweet Shop on the corner with it's tile floor, stamped metal ceiling, marble soda bar and a full array of
penny candy. How I envied your uncles Jack & Chuck who were employed there on occasions.



Next door on Genesee was an empty lot where a portable voting cottage was towed in at election time. As a member of the Board of Elections your Grandmother supervised the booths there on election day. Despite her strong devotion to the
Democratic party that was shared by your grandfather, the Republicans always won.



Gram was a very humble and practicle woman. She voluntarily took the "Third Floor" attic room as her bedroom, next to the room where we weekend visitors would sleep. There was no third floor toilet thus, the portable porcelain potty. Gram's
sacrifice provided a third room on the second floor. In addition to Aunt Marion's and Gus Freisner's, the third room was occupied by a boarder who, as a nurse, tended to Ingrid Bergman or her daughter Pia while the Swedish star was temporarily
residing in Rochester as her husband Dr. Peter Lindstrom, was attached to Strong Memorial Hospital. The single second floor bathroom - no shower - was shared by all occupants of the household.



In late '42 or early '43 both Jack and Chuck enlisted in the V-12 program for training naval officer candidates, held on many college campuses across the land. For basic training Jack was assigned to Alma College in Michigan (Coach George
Allen's alma mater), before being shipped to Columbia U., to complete midshipman's school. Chuck started at the U of Michigan and ultimately received his commission at U of Notre Dame.



So in the fall of '43, with Bob at Georgetown, Dad, Mom, Gram, Bill and I took a train to Detroit to meet our brothers for a weekend. This may well have been Gram's longest trip, and one of her most cherished as she would be visiting her
war-time sailor grandsons.



It was the final week of the regular football season, so we got to see Michigan defeat Ohio State in their traditional season finale, thanks to Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsh, an All American running back, who had been transferred in the same V-12
program from his chosen alma mater, the U of Wisconsin.



Gram seemingly survived the trip better than Mom & Dad because the following month they were both in St. Mary's Hospital 'mit pneumonia on Christmas. Fortunately, Jack & Chuck were both home on leave, but because of Mom's & Dad's
hospitalization your Dad and I took up temporary residency at Frost Ave., where Gram & Marion managed, once again, an expanded household with love and efficiency. Jack, although a young sailor on leave keeping late hours, still got up early
every morning to drive me back to Council Rock so I could fulfill my paper route deliveries.



Gram and Marion, under these unusual circumstances, sacrified their usual Christmas trip to Buffalo. Gasoline rationing was another factor.



WIthin months Gram died, another trauma of the war years. And the following December of '44 was cause for another vivid yuletime memory. Gram was gone and Jack & Chuck had shipped out to their undivulged duties in the Pacific. The war was
taking its toll everywhere, even in the relative safety and comfort of the home front. Jack & Chuck had gotten together in San Francisco before shipping out separately. They selected an item that was sent to Mom & Dad for Christmas. So, on
that holiday morning in the Council Rock living room this package was the last to be opened, slowly and carefully. Mindful that Dad's favorite composer was Johanne Strauss, the item chosen by your uncles was a minature grand piano complete
with simulated keys. And when the grand piano lid was raised the hidden music box played the "Blue Danube Waltz."



Mine has been the good fortune of many memorable and enjoyable recollections of Christmas. None more vivid than that moment.


More About Margaret A. Kearns:
Fact 4: Batavia, NY.

More About Margaret A. Kearns and John H. Napier:
Marriage: September 11, 1894, Batavia, NY.

Children of Margaret A. Kearns and John H. Napier are:
  1. Mabel Marguerite Napier, d. August 06, 1895.
  2. Marion Napier, d. April 19, 1965.
  3. +Charles Wellington Napier, b. August 08, 1897, Batavia, New York, USA, d. September 22, 1964, Rochester, New York, USA.
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