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"The way you wear your hat, The way you sip your tea, The mem'ry of all that No, no! They can't take that away from me!" - George and Ira Gershwin, Shall We Dance
Kathryn Mahoney and Walter Dick surely danced at their wedding and created many musical memories in their 59 years of marriage. Kathryn Agnes (Mahoney) Dick (1887-1985) is shown here in her wedding dress and hat in 1917.
Though Kathryn worked as a teacher prior to her marriage, she also played violin in local orchestras. It was at one of these musical events where she met her future husband, Walter Augustine Dick (1888-1976). Walter had aspired to become a professional flutist but like many musicians had a 'daytime' job as well. A talented builder and contractor, Walter gifted his bride with fine furniture made by his own hand and in later years, a hand-made violin.
"As the bridal party entered the church, Prof. Thomas F. Leonard played Mendelsshon's wedding march. At the offertory Herbert Proctor rendered the 'Ave Maria' and as the bridal party left the church, the wedding march from Lohengrin was played on the organ." - Newspaper Clipping in Mahoney History and Genealogy
Their daughter, Norma (Dick) Filios, wrote "Their children remember going to bed and listening to their music. As the children grew, one by one they played an instrument and joined their parents. Eventually, they had their own family orchestra."
The tradition has continued with many talented musicians, woodworkers and artisans amongst Kathryn and Walter's descendants. The family history is preserved in the Mahoney History and Genealogy written by Norma (Dick) Filios. Norma researched the family ancestry from Kathryn's grandfather, John Mahoney (1818-1904) through six generations.
"Leave everyone wondering which is the more interesting piece of work...you or your hat." - Unknown. I tip my hat to Auntie Norma and leave you to find more hats and memories at Sepia Saturday 108.
The version of 'Ave Maria' included here was found on Wikipedia and has a creative commons license for reuse. 'Ave Maria' was written by composer Charles Gounod by superimposing the melody over Bach's 'Prelude No. 1 in C major, MWV 846' - a mash up! The performer is John Michel, a cello professor at Central Washington University. I have been wanting to post about the Mahoneys and Dicks and can think of no more fitting tribute than a musical one.
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| Kathryn Agnes (Mahoney) Dick (1887-1985), photo 14 June 1917 |
Though Kathryn worked as a teacher prior to her marriage, she also played violin in local orchestras. It was at one of these musical events where she met her future husband, Walter Augustine Dick (1888-1976). Walter had aspired to become a professional flutist but like many musicians had a 'daytime' job as well. A talented builder and contractor, Walter gifted his bride with fine furniture made by his own hand and in later years, a hand-made violin.
"As the bridal party entered the church, Prof. Thomas F. Leonard played Mendelsshon's wedding march. At the offertory Herbert Proctor rendered the 'Ave Maria' and as the bridal party left the church, the wedding march from Lohengrin was played on the organ." - Newspaper Clipping in Mahoney History and Genealogy
Their daughter, Norma (Dick) Filios, wrote "Their children remember going to bed and listening to their music. As the children grew, one by one they played an instrument and joined their parents. Eventually, they had their own family orchestra."
The tradition has continued with many talented musicians, woodworkers and artisans amongst Kathryn and Walter's descendants. The family history is preserved in the Mahoney History and Genealogy written by Norma (Dick) Filios. Norma researched the family ancestry from Kathryn's grandfather, John Mahoney (1818-1904) through six generations.
"Leave everyone wondering which is the more interesting piece of work...you or your hat." - Unknown. I tip my hat to Auntie Norma and leave you to find more hats and memories at Sepia Saturday 108.
The version of 'Ave Maria' included here was found on Wikipedia and has a creative commons license for reuse. 'Ave Maria' was written by composer Charles Gounod by superimposing the melody over Bach's 'Prelude No. 1 in C major, MWV 846' - a mash up! The performer is John Michel, a cello professor at Central Washington University. I have been wanting to post about the Mahoneys and Dicks and can think of no more fitting tribute than a musical one.
Sources:
Filios, Norma (Dick). Mahoney History and Genealogy. N.p.: n.p., n.d.
The Hat Ladies of Charleston. The Hat Ladies. "Enjoying Hat Quotes." http://www.hatladies.org/enjoying_hat_quotes.htm : accessed 12 January 2012.
Wikipedia. "Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod)." Rev. 09:04, 12 January 2012.
Wikipedia. "Shall We Dance (1937)." Rev. 08:04, 29 December 2011.
Dick, Kathryn Agnes (Mahoney). Portrait. 1917. Digital image. Privately held by Liz Stratton, [ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL USE,] Cincinnati, Ohio. 2012.
A Lovely Post+ nice classical-mash!
ReplyDeleteStunning photo! You are blessed to have such a wonderful artifact.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely photo and I enjoyed reading the bits from the family history. That was an interesting quote at the end too.
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece Liz. That photo is lovely and the hat is beautiful. I would have been happy to have been married in one like that in 1975; in fact one of my frinds was come to think of it, and how different it was from the norm. What a talented family they all sound.
ReplyDeleteThey sound like the Osmonds of their day. Beautiful photo.
ReplyDeleteThank you for that beautiful piece of music!
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteYou definitely succeeded. I love the Ave Maria, particularly since it was a cello piece. I used to play the cello in high school and don't think there is a better instrument for rich, lush tone. Beautiful!
I love the pic, too, and may have to try to put something on Sepia Saturday.
She's a lovely bride. She looks very serious and intent. I have no musical talent but if I did I think it would be fun to have a family orchestra.
ReplyDeleteI think I like her hat the best of any I've seen so far on this sepia hat day. And the music goes with it wonderfully. I like to think about all the children joining their parents one by one until they had a family orchestra.
ReplyDeleteIt is one of the loveliest hats I've ever seen. I do wonder if Kathryn made it herself. She was a talented seamstress.
DeleteOh I'd love to see the top of that hat!
ReplyDeleteA great post, Liz. A beautiful hat, fine music and a story to match. A delight to hear and read.
ReplyDeleteWhat a combination. A near perfect quote to start with, a perfect picture, perfect description - and even some music thrown in for good luck. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI love the transparency of her hat, and how loosely the roses are tied together. Very romantic. Nice that you had the musical program of the ceremony. Gives us a better notion of the event. And adding the music is a nice touch.
ReplyDeleteThanx 4 sharing!!
:)~
HUGZ
I was stunned at how the computer image (back lighting) really made the hat's transparency apparent.
DeleteWonderful wedding photo. My mother wore a hat to her wedding, rather than a veil.
ReplyDeleteColleen
Nice post, Liz. Her hat is quite elegant and refined.
ReplyDeleteDid I ever ask you if you have relatives in Co. Down, Northern Ireland? My father's grandmother married a Stratton at one time.
I haven't found a Stratton connection to Ireland yet. The Mahoneys were from Co. Cork. I'm thoroughly enjoying learning Irish research with this family. I've other Irish families but none from Co. Down.
DeleteTerrific post. Music seemed to have stronger meanings for earlier generations. I'd love to see that violin.
ReplyDeleteMike, I will have to see if I can accommodate you. I'm certain I have a picture of it somewhere ....
Delete