Branch Come Home Year

August 9-19, 2007

A Tribute to My Grandmother, Mary Barry Nash

By: Loretta Corcoran

 

 

Mary Barry of Riverhead, St. Mary’s married Patrick Nash of Branch in 1919.  They lived together in Beckford and raised ten children - Aggie, Jimmy, Mary, Sadie, Carrie, Nora, Mike, Clara, Loretta and Benny.   My grandfather died very young and left my grandmother who was only 35 at the time to raise her children.

 

This was a very hard life for a young widow in the early 30’s.  Times were very hard for her.  There was very little money and grandmother had to earn her living cleaning people’s homes and bringing in washing  and ironing.  You do what you can, when you have young mouths to feed.  I think of her taking those long walks between Beckford and Branch, and marvel at her great strength of character.

 

Though she lived a very poor and hard life, she always made room for laughter in her home.  All of her children loved her dearly and cared and nurtured her all throughout her life.  From the beaches of Beckford to the Easter Cove and then on to St. John’s she always remained steadfast in their lives. She loved each and every one of them dearly.

 

In spite of raising all ten children on her own, she still made room to care for her grandchildren.  She raised Delores from infancy and me from the age of  four.  She was a strict, but also very loving grandmother.  She taught me many of the values that I am proud to pass on to my own children and grandchild today.

 

As time passes we still hold the memories of you a little tighter grandmother.  When times get tough we remember you were a true fighter.  If her life can be measured by her friends and family, she left a legacy of love and respect wherever she went.

 

“GONE FROM OUR LIVES, BUT ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS”