Mary's Memoirs

Several deaths this week. Mary attended several chapter meetings and Sam got home from his trip to L.A. The days before the Fourth of July saw some bad traffic. Some Girl Scouts came out to Mary and Sam's property and went swimming.

Monday, June 26, 1950

This was a busy day. Up very early and went to Mae Housen's where I phoned for 2 hours. Finally got all the required number of officers for Alice Lord's funeral. I called Walter Miller, and he will try to get the pall bearers for us. It is good to have such splendid helpers. To the Christiansen funeral at Port Orchard. Alma's brother-in-law, who died in the Shrine Parade. To Eunice Duffield's where I changed my clothes and got ready for the White Shrine dinner. Had my hair recombed. The dinner was delicious and well attended. Claudia E. Finnigan, supreme high priestess, and others attended. The ceremonial went off very well. Everyone did their parts so well. We were all so happy. Gunde and Bert Short and Otto Brookman were initiated. The tables downstairs were lovely with bowls of flowers. We were very late getting away. I was busy talking to Elma Olsen, Georgia Nieman and Ruby Baker. We had our pictures taken for the cookbook too. Francis Huson got sick, and we had to take her outside after the ceremonial. Alma conducted a wonderful meeting in spite of the tragic day she had.

Tuesday, June 27, 1950

Today I arose early and took the blue delphiniums to Ruby Gray. To Alma Nelson's and then to Enitel Inn where I met Mrs. Stafford who gets ads for our White Shrine book. First, we drove the car then we walked. We had coffee twice and took an hour off for lunch, when I did my shopping. So, I have plenty of cards, etc., for a while. We stopped at 4:45 and we were both very tired as it was extremely warm. To Alma Nelson's where I did some phoning. Harry Stees's father passed away last night so it was a sad time for him today. Walter Miller has all the pall bearers lined up for Alice Lord's funeral. We are to meet at the ferry on the Seattle side, so we won't need our cars. Ran into so many I knew today. It really was a pleasant day. Home and ate. Raining out. I hope we get a good rain. We surely need it.

Wednesday, June 28, 1950

This was a busy day. To Gorst and had my hair combed then I picked up Maimee Gould and Ruby Gray. We went to the ferry where soon all were congregated. On the Seattle side we were met and taken to Mittlestadt's Funeral parlor. There we found out there was no minister, so we decided to cut the worthy patron's lecture and the prayer for the graveside services. I read the obituary. To the cemetery minus 3 girls who had to go home. We gave our part there and it was all over. A gentle breeze was blowing as Edith Miller gave her prayer and it was very touching. We ate on the ferry and then went home to Maimee Gould's. She, Eunice de Long and I went to Poulsbo. They had a very nice evening, and we enjoyed their initiation. They do such fine work. And oh, what open face sandwiches they can make. We all ate too many. Home and to bed. Very tired. It was a long day and so very warm. I surely hope we shall have no more funerals for a while.

Thursday, June 29, 1950

Arose late although I could not sleep. A lovely day out. To Gorst and had my hair done and then to Alma Nelson's. We attended the funeral of Harry Stees's father and saw Pansy King in the hospital. It was extremely warm, and I was glad to get home. Checked over my meeting and ate at 4:30. Sam came home late so he ate later. To Chapter at 6:35 and took stuff for "car" addenda. Also berries to put over our ice cream slices. The roll type. There was a good crowd out and the evening went very well, save that I had to be prompted! Was I disgusted! The fathers enjoyed being honored and the poem at the last on friendship went very well. But it was so very warm everyone suffered. We enjoyed the ice cream and strawberries. They were so cool. We were all pleased with Harold Chapon. He really did beautifully and oh we were proud. They will have a wonderful patron next year. Sam arrived from L.A. at 3 o'clock on Wednesday. Blanch was in Bremerton and called but I was out.

Friday, June 30, 1950

Slept late. Sam had gone after clams before I arose. Cleaned house good and changed beds. About 1:40 I went into Bremerton. Took my white dresses to the cleaning so they will be ready for September. Called on Jeanette Foster at the Roosevelt Hospital and gave her a baby cup. Then I called on Lydia Goetz and she looks good but seems nervous. To Lois Beckett's and gave her a baby cup and had a nice visit. She has 2 adopted children now. To McGavin's and bought some bread and rolls. Home and cooked liver and onions for dinner. Very good. Come from a veal of Glen Harris. The Girl Scouts came and are having a good time on the float. Never heard such a noise! Sam went to Masonic Lodge, so I watered and went to bed early. Very lovely out. Took the Scout counselor to camp as they were short of food. Sun is warm and good swimming. The Girl Scouts are down here and oh, are they enjoying the water!

Saturday, July 1, 1950

Arose fairly early. Cleaned house after breakfast and put in fresh flowers. Everything looks very clean and nice. Sam ground geoducks and now put 1½ pints in the locker. Wrote a note to Lorraine Runstrom and Lucille Rummells to thank them for their decorating this spring. Saw Lorraine up at Belfair last night. Fixed my calendar up to date and worked on my scrapbook. My scrapbook is up to date and I'm so glad! Went swimming and it was fine. Laid out in the sun for quite a while so I feel fine. We had steamed clams for dinner and short cake. A queer mixture but very good. Sam rode with Tom K over to see Benson's bulkhead. Wrote cards to Allene Nelson, Erma Haynes and Ingrid Emery. To Betty Fischler's in the late evening. We had a nice visit. The diary is nearly ready. The Herbert Athertons came just as we were ready to leave so we arrived late. Very chilly out tonight. Took Betty some red roses.

Sunday, July 2, 1950

Slept late. A very hot day. Sam washed clothes and I baked beans for July 4th. The house is nice and clean and full of fresh flowers. Looks very nice. The roses are lovely now. Sam went up to Belfair with the garbage and I got the dinner ready. We ate at 4:30. The veal that Glen Harris had and some baked beans. They were delicious. Then I went to Bremerton and with Alma Nelson called on Theo. Steele at Port Gamble. The Pistolas were there as we arrived, and we all had a lovely visit. This looks much better. Called Maimee Hanberg. She was in her garden out at Bertha Zoe's. Home and oh what a lot of traffic. Tomorrow and the 4th I'll stay home. Sam watering when I came home. Showing some folks around. John and relatives from Seattle. To bed early.

■ Clydene Hostetler was a longtime Belfair resident and historian. She now resides on a classic wooden boat on the Columbia River. She has been researching Mary Theler's life for the past 17 years. She can be emailed at [email protected]