The flowing is a poem by Aunt Eleanor Burr. Anyone have any idea when it was written and was there a title?
About ninety years ago,
In the springtime of the year,
Dennis and Eva were married,
To spread happiness and cheer!
They were blessed with eleven children,
But two died at birth.
So the Lord sent nine others,
To be raised on this great earth.
Seven were girls and two precious sons,
To add to their pleasures,
Their sorrows,
Their Fun.
They enjoyed music and dancing,
And how they could sing,
You’d think they had everything,
Fit for a King.
They worked hard all their lives,
But they left us a lot,
So many past memories,
Will never be forgot.
They taught us to be kind,
To be honest and true!
What more could we have had,
I’m asking you?
Eleanor Buckley Burr
The following was written by Elanor Burr. It served as the Alma Mater for Port Leyden Central School. Date written?
ALMA MATER
Where the river valleys widens,
Black River stately flows,
Stands the high school of Port Leyden,
‘Neath the hills it knows.
Alma Mater, give us wisdom,
Love and strength to do;
Make us see the beauty ‘round us,
Teach us to be true.
High school days will soon be over,
Swiftly gliding by;
Cherish then each passing hour,
Let them linger nigh.
Eleanor Buckley Burr
The following is the Eulogy for Marion Wainwright given by her loving grandson David Wainwright.
June 9, 1998
At the Funeral of Marion Wainwright
I want to begin by saying that it is truly an honor and privilege to be a part of this ceremony, to participate in this most fond farewell. We have all come together to pay our final respects to a woman who touched everyone in her life, and who leaves a true legacy. To be sure, there is a sadness we share today at her loss. But for me, and I expect all of us, there is a such sweet abundance in the rich memories of her long, vital, and well-lived life, the smiles and laughter today will far outweigh the tears.
I drove out from Boston yesterday, by myself; and in the quiet and the privacy of those hours I remembered all sorts of different things an eventually realized yet again – but in a much deeper way – what a remarkable woman she was. In a large family full of characters (beginning with the Buckleys, of course…) and many a strong personality, she ALWAYS stood out, stood up and got counted. Ever smiling, rarely yielding, Grandma was usually at the front of the bus, at the center of the picture, in on the final decision. Which is where she belonged. It’s funny… last night at the funeral home was when I first learned that she had died on her 75th wedding anniversary, I turned to one of her many loving grandchildren to remark upon the coincidence and this loving grandchild, without a moment’s hesitation said “Well, you know Grandma… she never missed and entrance!…”
All through her life, I suspect, because of her force of character, her constant will, Grandma heard the word “No” a lot less often than most of us. And, I’d bet most of those rare times when she did hear it, she simply ignored it. The Grandma I remember from my childhood was the Boss. The many, many family events – holidays, picnics, cookouts – through the years were always a Grandma Production. She organized, she orchestrated, she certainly delegated…and she always pulled it off, because her family and its protection… its vitality… its togetherness… its prosperity… it continuity… meant everything to her. As a child I dreaded that part of the program when Grandma wanted the children to perform. We had to sing, or recite poetry, or even speak extemporaneously. And sure enough, despite the dread and the resistance, this shy child would do it – and be the better for it. That was one of Grandma’s gifts: she made you do more than you thought you were capable of doing. And no one was prouder, or clapped louder when you did. And through all those holidays and gatherings and family reunions, all those Grandma productions created the ties and bonds and love that bring her large family together still, here today and for many years to come. That is at the heart of her legacy.
I was very lucky to have had a second, even more fulfilling relationship with Grandma once I’d grown up, gone to college and started my own life. We got closer after Grandpa had passed on, and the Grandma of those last twenty years was a Trip. She was a Hot Ticket. Though she certainly mourned his passing, there was a freedom of a sort in her widowhood. Always itching to travel, to see the world, she now began doing so more frequently. She visited me in Boston a couple of times – always eager to see new places, to meet new people. Generally her traveling companion was a woman ten or twenty years younger than she. (They had to be, just to keep up with her… ). She always had a story or two, a genuine gleam in her eye when she talked of, say, the time in Las Vegas when the maitre’d, noticing the name “Wainwright” on his reservation book, inquired if she was any relation to the famous General Wainwright. Without missing a beat she solemnly replied “Yes, he was my husband… ” – and was promptly escorted to a front row table!
Whenever I came to Mohawk in those years I almost always made it a point to go and visit her, and not out of duty. I was not spending some dull time with a lonely old woman. I went out of joy – it was always a pleasure to see her. No matter who I might have with me or what I was up to in my life at that particular time, Grandma always welcomed me with open arms and a loving smile. She was always interested in me and my life. This country woman, who had lived all her life in the small towns of upstate New York was still a woman of the world: always poised, always curious, always leaving her imprint wherever she passed. I found a kindred spirit in her, for she lived her life fully, gave or herself generously, demanded the best from those around her, and suffering no deep or lasting regrets.
Old Girl, you are a model for us all. And that is the rest of your legacy …
Life is for the Living
May I follow in your footsteps.
May I know the joys and adventures, the pride of accomplishment that mark your life.
An may I continue to make you proud that I am one of yours…
God Bless and Keep You.
Finally, on behalf of the entire family, particularly those of us who live far away and haven’t been home often in that past few years, a deep and heartfelt “Thank You” to Bill and Tootie for all their devoted and loving care of Grandma in these last years. Your generosity and kindness will never be forgotten, will always be respected and appreciated, and will hopefully be passed down to the next generation.
David Wainwright