Friday, November 2, 2018
My mom was one of the strongest, hardworking women I have ever known. She’s probably the only person who can truthfully say she walked a mile through 3’ feet of snow to get to school. She met my dad Ernest McKay and later married him when she was 16 and my dad was 28. He always said he didn’t know if he robbed the cradle or she was robbed the grave. They were married for 8 years before they had there first daughter Connie. In fact they didn’t think they could have children. Needless to say that was not true. Connie was followed by nine other children. And, all in all, 105 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren were the result of those 10 kids. My dad and mom bought their 174 acre farm in 1938 for $1,025. They made that farm their home and raised their family there. I have many fond memories of being raised on that farm and grateful for the life my parents gave me. My mom ran the dairy farm while my dad worked construction to help pay the bills. My mom was the Head Chef, Chief Accountant, Farm Manager, Business Manager, and full time Homemaker. For years, she did laundry with a ringer washing machine and hung the clothes on a line to air dry. She never failed to have a full course meal on the table every night and none of us left for school without a good breakfast and homemade hot chocolate in our bellies. We were sent to school with home packed lunches and there were always fresh baked cookies and bread when we came home from school. She canned at least 500 quarts of vegetables every summer from a garden they grew. She raised animals for dairy, eggs and meat. Needless to say we never went hungry. My mom was a strong woman and I am grateful, that through her, I too learned to be a strong woman. I’m honored to have had the privilege of calling her mom. Rest In Peace, Mom
