Life History of Lucy Welden

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Dedicated To Main Page Life History Project

1. Tell about your favorite uncle.

I don't really have a favorite uncle, my mom was close to Uncle Albert and Uncle Phil Gagne, and they were in service during WW11. Uncle Albert was born on my mom's 8th birthday, after service he married and lived in Mo. Uncle Phil lived in Texas and he was close to my mom also, my sister and I went with my mom to see him in Nov. 1996, my mom passed away in May of 1997 and he passed away in Nov. that same year.

2. What changes have you seen in technology? (Indoor plumbing, water, telephones, computers, cars, etc.)

One of changes that I have seen is to have indoor plumbing as a child growing up in 40's and 50; s, we had no running water in the house my mom had to carry water from the penstock for drinking and laundry. Water had to be carried in for baths.

Another change was to have a furnace to heat our home, we had a wood and coal stove in the kitchen for cooking and heat and a stove in the parlor which we would sit around in the winter. My mom used to do a lot of baking; it was a lot different than to day now we have mixes to use.

We used to use cardboard to slide down hill; we spent more time out doors in winter and summer.

3. Tell something you remember about one of your grandparents. (Were they funny, crazy, loving, mean, or special in a certain way.)

About: Lucinda Gagne

My grandmother Lucinda Gagne was special she was usually always smiling she didn’t have an easy life raising 12 children. She enjoyed life and enjoyed her grandchildren. I remember when I was a teenager my grandfather was ill and I spent about a week with them so that they weren't alone and she spoiled me. Another time I remember her getting on a bicycle, she also loved growing roses and she made a rose corsage for me at my graduation. She was talented she did hairpin lace, tatting and crocheting without using directions she would look at the picture and make table cloths, bedspreads, doilies and edgings for pillow cases.

4. Did you ever have an accident, illness, or an operation? Pick one and tell about it.

I had triple bypass surgery in 1996, I didn't realize that I had a heart problem I felt tired all the time and was very irritable after having heart cath. I was not allowed to go home until surgery was done. Following surgery they said I was wrapped in a blanket with just my face showing and I was like a mummy, I went home 4 days after surgery. In 1999, I had surgery for Carotid artery and had a stroke following surgery, I list my sight, speech I was unable to walk and no use of my right side, now 4 years later I have most of my sight back, I can walk about 1 mile or more, I drive my speech is back, I don't have all of the use of right hand back but I manage to do most things. I have so much to be thankful for, my husband, sister and in-laws have been a great help, and I couldn't have made progress without them. I keep reminding myself to have a positive attitude and that I can do anything when I make up my mind to. My mom and my grandmother never gave up.

5. Tell what your hobbies or interests are. (Do you sing, sew, write, hunt, build things, let us know more about you.)

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6. Tell about the changes in television. (Anything you want, earlier shows vs. today's shows, invention of VCR's & DVD's, the sky's the limit.)

The TV shows of 50's and 60's were family shows which were for children and adults and was in black and white through the years we have color and now large screens. Today they a lot of soaps during the morning and afternoon, talk shows, game shows more news, adult shows there is more of a variety. I like the history, discovery, animal, educational and movie channels. With VCR's I can tape a program and watch it later.

7. Lets be romantic! Tell us about your valentine, first love, first crush, or how you were proposed to, or how you proposed to your sweetheart.

I met my husband at work, when I would take my break he would stop and speak, and we would talk mostly about our brothers and sisters. We were both the eldest in our family. We knew each other for about 2 1/2 years before we dated, he was shy, I changed employment before he asked me out and 2 months later he proposed and we were married 3 months later. We have almost 43 years of marriage.

8. What types of jobs have you had and which did you prefer?

My first job was working in a factory checking cloth after it came off knitting machines and was dyed before it was shipped out or sent to our cutting room to be cut and sewed into lingerie. I worked there for 21/2 yrs. My next job was a file clerk with the State, Statistics clerk, Senior Employment clerk and a Labor Service clerk. I liked my last 2 positions because it required working with the public.

9. Who was your best friend while growing up, or who is your best friend now? Let us know a little about the friends you have had in your life.

My best friend while growing up was Lois we used to spend a lot of time together after school and during the summer. The friends that I spend the most time with now are Amy and Dot we go on vacations together to Florida, W. Va., Las Vegas and short trips. My former co-workers Elaine, Rita and I go out to lunch or breakfast once a month. My best friends in later years are my husband Hank we spend a lot if time together we enjoy going out to eat. My sister Barbara and Jim and I go on day trips and longer trips with Senior group which we belong to.

10. Tell us about your favorite Aunt

My favorite aunt was Florence she used to come and spend most of the summer with my grandmother one summer she spent most of it with our family. She was willing to do new things once she went horseback riding with my sister and she helped to do some haying while I drove the tractor. I went on vacation with her , Lois and Joe another time I brought two of my nieces to NYC and we stayed at Aunt Florence's we were taken to World Trade Center to see the view. We also went to see show The King and I. I enjoyed spending time with my aunt and cousins Lois and Joe.

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