The small woman, no more than five feet tall stood amongst her garden flowers in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin as she posed for her photograph, her long white hair pulled back off her face. As she admired the colors and scents, she perhaps considered how far she had come in life, giving all thanks to God. It was the year 1930, and He had spared her no more life challenges in the autumn days of her life. Margaret Conry Walker was widowed and living in a comfortable rented home with her son William, and daughter, Irene, both of whom supported and cared for her. She was seventy years old and had spent seventeen of those years a widow. Her husband, John, was buried after six long years of illness as were four of her nine children. Perhaps she also thought of her red-headed son, William, who fought in the Great War and, thanks to the luck of the Irish whose blood flowed in his veins, came home to tell the tale.
Margaret Ellen was born on March 24th 1861 to Irish-born parents Patrick and Mary Conry in Half Day, Vernon Hills, in Lake County, Illinois. Her memories of her father were limited, as he left home when she was two years old to fight in the Civil War. Her mother moved them closer to her parents in Libertyville, some four miles away, but the strain of poverty and responsibility for seven children likely contributed to her early death at the age of forty-four.
Margaret Ellen was sixteen when her mother died and it was not long afterwards that she left home to seek employment in Chicago. She met and married a laborer named John Walker on June 21st 1886 in Chicago. After rearing four children rather quickly, their life took a sudden turn in 1894, when John was seriously injured in a workplace accident. When employed by the Illinois Bridge Co. the elevator used in raising men and material fell, killing three or four men outright and seriously injuring a dozen more. John sustained a broken leg and other serious injuries which impacted the rest of his life. A suit for damages was brought against the company, but tribunals were carried to the Supreme Court and thence to the United States Court before the findings were sustained and John Walker was given a judgment for $2,100.

We all know a little old lady who matches the profile of Margaret. If you give some time to sit down and talk, these quiet ladies would love to tell you how life can throw many a bad hand at a moment's notice. No preparation, no warning, no instructions as to how to cope. And they will also tell you of their family and friends. Life can be balanced, and one bad turn can be cancelled by the presence of those around you. Margaret may have been small in stature but she was large of heart. Her crippled husband was well looked after and she was very proud of her children. Margaret, thank you.

Taken from Lois and Her Irish-ness, chronicled by Tom Henn. Available as book and kindle on httpps://www.amazon.com